Alamo All Stars

Goodreads Says:    From Nathan Hale, #1 New York Times bestselling author and Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List maker, comes the definitive graphic novel about the Alamo.
 
Hale relays the facts, politics, military actions, and prominent personalities that defined the Texas Revolution in factual yet humorous scenes that will capture the attention of reluctant readers and fans of history alike.
 
In the early 1800s, Texas was a wild and dangerous land fought over by the Mexican government, Native Americans, and settlers from the United States. Beginning with the expeditions of the so-called “Land Pirates,” through the doomed stand at the Alamo, and ending with the victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the entire Texas saga is on display. Leading the charge to settle this new frontier is Stephen F. Austin, with a cast of dangerous and colorful characters, including Jim Bowie, William Travis, David Crockett, and others.
 
Through his vivid depiction and additional maps, and biographies located in the back of the book, Nathan Hale brings new insight for students, teachers, and historians into one of the most iconic structures in the United States.

My Thoughts:

-    This isn't my favorite of the series, but I still enjoyed it.

-    Nathan changed the formula a little bit. Other characters helped Nathan Hale tell the story, and the hangman wasn't the only one interrupting with comments and questions. I didn't really care for the new narrators. They weren't needed.

-    I don't know a lot of back story for the Alamo, so it was good to learn about that and guys I'd never heard of, but on the other hand, I was a little confused in the beginning. The intro threw the reader in the middle of something and it took me a while to catch up.

-    The cholera monster was awesome! It was very creative and scary looking.

-    The page where you have to turn the book sideways and follow paths to find out what happens to several guys is confusing. I didn't like it. 

-    I enjoy the humor of these books. It helps these historical stories to be light and fun for kids.

-    Overall, this was fun, and I'll continue to read these Hazardous Tales.

Manga Classics: Emma

From Goodreads:    Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.



My Thoughts:

-    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series!! I devoured this book! I couldn't get enough.

-    The artwork is beautiful! I loved it. The character designs were great!

-    This was a great adaptation from the original book. All the emotions and events were captured so perfectly.

-    This used to be my favorite Austen book before I read Persuasion, but after reading this I think it climbed back up to tie as favorite again. I just love Mr. Knightley! I hope they adapt Persuasion into a manga. That would be AWESOME!

-    I really enjoyed reading the notes at the end of the book. I loved reading about the challenges of adapting the story into a manga. I liked how they talked about Emma being a mystery story as well as a romance story. It was very interesting.

-    I loved the character sketches/development pages between chapters. They were fun to look at.

-    I loved this book! I highly recommend it to everyone, especially Austen fans!

Top Ten Tuesday: Audio Freebie

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

All About Audio Freebie

I've chosen to list some of my favorite bands/singers!


Ben Folds


Barenaked Ladies


Journey


The All American Rejects


Vertical Horizon


Jimmy Eat World


Tears for Fears


Bon Jovi


Michael Buble


Men Without Hats


Oingo Boingo

The Jungle Book

My Thoughts:

-    I loved this more than I thought I would! Great film! We rented it from RedBox, and I watched it twice before returning it the next day.

-    This movie is the perfect blend of paying tribute to the original Disney classic while creating something completely new and exciting.

-    I LOVED that they used some of the original music. The opening scene was awesome, and it just gave me chills.

-    I didn't think there would be any singing in this film, but I loved it when King Louie and Baloo busted out into song.

-    The CG is AMAZING! I can't believe how awesome this movie looks.

-    The cast was spot on perfect! I loved every single character. Each actor was perfect for their role.

-    Neel Sethi's performance was awesome! He is so talented for a little boy. He practically acted the whole movie in front of a giant green screen with green screen props. That is hard for a lot of seasoned actors. I'm really impressed. 

-    My only complaint is that Bagheera made a lot of noise. A panther would never make that much noise walking around the jungle. 

-    I wish the vultures had made an appearance in the film, but I'm not sure how they would have fit in. The movie is still good without them, but it would have been fun to see them. 

-    Great movie! I'll probably buy this.

Fan Art Friday: The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is one of the most iconic and most quotable movies of all time. How could I not showcase this one?

My favorite picture is the last one. It just cracks me up. I also love the first one.

Which is your favorite? 

Also let me know who your favorite character is and/or favorite quote and/or favorite scene.

As always, the pictures are linked to the source. I'd highly recommend clicking on the last picture. The artist drew all the characters, and they are awesome!

Kubo and the Two Strings

My Thoughts:

-    The movie was good. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I feel like it was just shy of being an awesome movie, and that is frustrating. 

-    I think that if someone else had helped with the story, like John Lasseter or someone with equally amazing storytelling skills, this movie could have been SO much better.

-    I don't EVER say this about books or movies, but I felt like this movie was white washed. I usually don't care, but for this movie, I cared. I wish more of the voice acting had been done by actual Japanese actors. I liked Charlize Theron a lot. Her voice was perfect for her character, but I really didn't like Matthew McConaughey. His voice just didn't fit with the movie, and I hated that his character was classic male idiot. Why couldn't he have been the epic warrior he was? I also wish the Moon King had been a different actor, like Ken Watanabe or something.

-    The animation was awesome! I loved the stop motion stuff. They did a great job.

-    The origami was cool!

-    My favorite part about watching this movie was that my husband and I had the whole theater to ourselves. We were able to talk and be loud. I walked up and down aisles with Sqeaker. I also made shadow puppets on the screen, and poked the characters in the nose. It was SO fun. 

-    This movie is definitely worth seeing, but I probably wouldn't buy it. I'd watch it again though.

Darth Vader Annual #1 and Darth Vader #16 - #20

Goodreads Synopsis:    It is a time of unrest. After the fall of the Republic, the Galactic Empire took over with an iron fist. Yet the Empire does not stand unchallenged as the rebels continue to fight back

The destruction of the Death Star has ignited faith that the Rebellion will prevail, but the Emperor is determined to eliminate any and all threats. As more and more planets fall under Imperial control, Lord Vader travels to Shu-torun with a message to reinforce their cooperation....





My Thoughts:

-    This issue introduces a new planet and people. It is pretty neat.

-    Interesting story, I'm not sure what to think of it. Hopefully we get more from future Darth Vader issues. I don't want to wait for once a year comics!

-    I feel so bad for Trio.

-    I can't get over these evil droids. They are too much fun!


From Goodreads:    New story arc! The planet Shu-Torin, (introduced in the Darth Vader Annual), is revolting. Darth Vader is tasked with leading a military assault. Has Vader's rise to glory begun?













My Thoughts:

-    This issue picks up right after the Darth Vader Annual comic. Why did they need to make a Darth Vader Annual? Couldn't that have been #16? So weird!

-    Looks like Vader is finally getting back into the Emperor's good graces.

-    Trio is acting pretty calm considering all the crap Vader is putting her through. I hope she is planning a major revenge scheme. 



From Goodreads:    Would you follow Darth Vader into war? Better that than to be against him. A lesson the Ore Barons are about to learn...














My Thoughts:

-    Not a lot of thoughts on this one.

-    I'm hoping Aphra gets back into the game, and I hope Vader still has his own agenda he is working on.



Goodreads Says:    With resources vital to the Empire on the line, Vader makes his move...but Cylo and his forces are looking to show him up before he can! Full-scale warfare on the surface of Sho-Turun!












My Thoughts:

-    Not a lot to say about this one as well. 

-    This issue mostly setup some plot points for future issues.

From Goodreads:    The Shu-Torun War concludes! Will Vader bring the Ore Barons in line? Or will Cylo and his warriors show the Dark Lord how it's done?













My Thoughts:

-    I really doubt all of this happened between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. When is the series going to tie back into the original story line?

-    I'm not sure how long I'll continue this series. I like it when the story runs more parallel the Star Wars comics like it did in the beginning. 

-    I think Triple Zero and Beetee need their own series.


Goodreads Says:    New Story Arc! "END OF GAMES" begins this issue! Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information. Vader may have passed his master's tests...but will his own schemes prove his undoing? PLUS: A bonus tale of Triple-Zero and Beetee!











My Thoughts:

-    I enjoy the exchanges between Vader and the Emperor. They are very interesting.

-    The little side Beetee and Triple Zero story was awesome!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

From Goodreads:    Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

My Thoughts:

-    This is going to be a tough review to write! I'm not exactly sure how to portray my feelings.

-    I would definitely not consider this the 8th book in the series. I think they should have called it a companion book or just have it be associated with the Harry Potter line. It just doesn't fit in with the series. Let's just call it what it is! It's fan fiction! 

-    I've read several plays, and this was a poorly written play. It was disjointed and didn't flow very well. With the other plays I've read, it didn't take me long to get used to the format, and I didn't feel like I was reading a play. This really felt like I was trying to read a script. The second half is better than the first half.

-    One of my biggest complaints about the book was when it referenced scenes from previous Harry Potter books, mainly The Goblet of Fire, it didn't copy the story accurately. If you are going to copy lines out of another book, they need to be EXACTLY the same! You can't just change stuff!

-    My other big complaint was the characters. The play did NOT capture these beloved character's personalities very well. 

-    I really liked that the play started with the epilogue from Deathly Hallows.

-    I liked Albus and Scorpious's friendship. I always wanted Malfoy to get some sort of redemption, and I'm glad that past events didn't taint this new friendship.

-    I felt like the story wasn't thought out very well. Things kinda just happened, and the characters just "magically" made it through situations. (See what I did there?)

-    I didn't have very high expectations going in, so I wasn't really disappointed or impressed. It was pretty much what I thought it would be.

-    I like the book for what it is. If you think of it as fan-fic, it isn't too bad. I wouldn't buy the book. I wouldn't even pick it up if it was at a yard sale for a buck, but overall, it was alright. 

Silver in the Blood

Goodreads Synopsis:    A New York Times bestselling author brings dark secrets to life in a lush new YA perfect for fans of Libba Bray or Cassandra Clare.

Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate... or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might.

With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.

My Thoughts:

-    I had really high hopes for this book, but it turns out that the story was just alright.

-    I'm a big Jessica Day George fan, but this isn't my favorite book of hers. It has so much going for it, but I feel like it just barely missed the mark of being something awesome.

-    The setting was amazing! The book showcases Romania and the time period beautifully. I feel like the book is mostly eye candy.

-    The family secret wasn't super shocking and amazing. I'm sure it was to the characters in the time period, but it wasn't for me as a reader. I felt like there was a lot of build up to the secret, and then it was very anti-climactic and predictable. Also, I wish the secret had been revealed earlier in the story so more of the conflicts could have had more time. 

-    The beginning was slow, but the book picks up about halfway through, and I enjoyed the second half a lot more. I still enjoyed the first half, but it was a lot of setup.

-    Dacia and Lou grew on me, but not a ton. I didn't really love any of the characters. I liked them well enough, but not enough to sympathize very much. 

-    I really liked the homage to Stoker's Dracula. There were mentions of the book in the story. There were also letters and diary entries similar to the ones in Dracula. That was fun.

-    Overall, I enjoyed the book and I think it is worth the read, but it didn't live up to my expectations. 

Fan Art Friday: Gene Wilder

I wish I had thought of this for other amazing actors that have passed away. It probably isn't too late. I should still showcase some of my favorites.

I adore Gene Wilder. I was very sad when I heard about his passing. There will NEVER again be another Gene Wilder or anything close. His madness was genius. I hope you enjoy the fan art I found of him. There were a lot of pictures of Willy Wonka, but I tried to get a variety of his other roles as well.

I can't pick a favorite. They all put a smile on my face.

Which is your favorite?

What was your favorite Gene Wilder role/movie?

The pictures are all linked to the source where I found them. Please click on the picture if you'd like to see more from a certain artist.