Comic Adventures Issue #48

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about Saga vol. 6, Lumberjanes Vol 3 A Terrible Plan,  Wayword Volume 1 String Theory, and Kanan Star Wars vol 2.

I can't get enough of this series!  It's just so unique compared to any other comic that I am reading right now. Yeah... this issue kind of hit the filler volume.  But I am still into the characters. Hazel is now a little girl in this comic so we get to know her and see her growing up. There's a couple of new characters in this volume that I though was ... meh.  A couple of reporters who get mixed up into everything.  Ok.... just boring.  The Will is back and I still like him... he's flipping out a little and becoming more and more depressing.  I like it.  I like that we get to see him go through all these emotions.  There are a few genitals drawn in this comic and one genital had me shocked!  Meaning.. I just wasn't expecting it.  Good things happen at the end of this comic too!  Things that have me really excited for volume 7. Apparently there is no release date for volume 7!  How long do I have to wait then?? 2017!  I look forward to Alana and Marko's continuing story and see how everything comes together with Hazel. 
3 out of 5

This is another comic I've been enjoying so much.  I look forward to reading it.  New artist this time around but I still felt like it was still the fun quirky art.  I don't know why comics switch artists so often.  I just think that one artist should be contracted till the series is done.  I don't know much about comic book rules though when it comes to writing them/drawing them.  The book starts out with all the girls from camp telling their own ghost stories.  I thought these were great! I like how the girls are also getting their own stories.  By getting to know the girls a little better as individuals the comic is finding it's way to be a long running comic. The creepy camp vibe is still around.  There are dinosaurs, bears, and all that fun stuff!  You can still read about all the different patches they earn.  I always want to try to earn these badges. Why isn't there any cool camps like this for adults? There's a fun badge called Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fondant... a cake decorating challenge that including a funny raccoon!  
5 out of 5

I saw someone reading this on the Graphic Novel Challenge 2016 so I thought I'd check it out.  I mean... there are tons of cats on the cover! Sold. The art is fantastic and the characters are also fun to get to know. Each characters turns out to have some sort of super power. Monsters start appearing here and there and of course they battle. The plot is a little rushed to me. Like there is really no explanation as to why the monsters are there.  I know it will be revealed later but I feel like we still should've known a little bit more now. I like how the comic takes place in Japan. Makes me feel like I'm reading a Manga.  Yeah, I know it's not one but I still felt cool. The story almost feels like one I've read before. Teen kids with superpowers in a team, bad guys showing up to be defeated.  Missing parents (like all YA novels).  I'll for sure check out the next volume just out of curiosity.  That volume will determine whether or not I stick with the series. 
3 out of 5

I loved the first volume of this come.  It was the first time I had been introduced to Kanan.  This issue was such a let down compared to that one.  It was all about Kanan as a child when he was becoming a jedi.  Same story we've heard before.  I wanted more of Kanan's adventures with his group.  They were interesting.  How much back story do we need? The comic needs to start moving on into the present. It's not a terrible comic.. just average.  None of the Star Wars comics has been phenomenal to me. I thought Kanan was going to be the comic that stood out in a flood of average Star Wars story but this one didn't help it do that. Honestly the most interesting character was the one Kanan is becoming a padawan for.  She (Billaba) has just got back from battle and lost most of her troops and is going through a lot mentally to try to be one with the force again.  I did enjoy reading about a Jedi Master having those issues. 
2 out of 5 

This counts for 61 comics towards my 2016 Graphic Novels Challenge.

 

Comic Adventures Issue #47

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about Wytches Vol. 1, Ms. Marvel Vol. 5,  The Mighty Thor vol. 1, and Darth Vader Vol 2.

I tend to find out about new and different comics from the Graphics Novel Challenge I participate in every year. This was one of the comics I saw someone on there review. The story is about Wytches... nasty things that live underground. The Wytches eat children who have been marked by their familes. Sometimes the art was hard to follow.  There was the pencil and there was some ink mixed in so I didn't always know what was going on.  Though that did help with the creep factor.  The end of the book was pretty unbelievable to me.  But I do want to read the next volume.  Oh speaking of next volume... who knows when that's coming out.  I wish I had known before starting this that the next Wytches isn't in the works at all yet.  Who knows when?  The story is the same old horror you find every where else though so don't expect a new witch story.  Do you ever find when you read reviews it starts to change your point of view of a book you read? That happened to me with this book... what I thought was fantastic was actually just another horror story.   I started reading other reviews and realized it wasn't such a great book! 
3 out of 5

Page from Wytches

Ms. Marvel is a series I really enjoy. This issue though kind of is a crossover.  What I mean by that is something happened with Kamala Khan in another issue where she joins the Avengers.  I'm not sure what happens during that time because well.. it's in some other issue. That's ok though... what I like about the Ms. Marvel comics is we get to deal with Kamala's real life.  Her crush Bruno has found another girlfriend since Kamala is so busy and Aamir (her brother) is getting married. I love Kamala's relationship with her brother, it's so funny. In this volume a real estate company comes in to take over her neighborhood.  We find out later that it's HYDRA. There is another fun story line in the book where Kamala is so burned out that she tried to make a clone of herself on a 3D printer and then chaos comes.  I don't think Ms. Marvel has lost any of it's charm yet.  The writing is still young and mainstream.  I can't wait for the next issue!

5 out of 5

Let's be honest, after Thor Vol. 2 I wasn't going to keep reading. I just didn't love it.. but apparently I put this one on hold without remembering so when it came into the library I went ahead and read it.  And really enjoyed it.  I'm not sure why it's not volume 3?  I guess it's 'The Mighty Thor' now?  So we are back to volume 1?  Whatever.  So we all know now that Jane Foster is Thor right?  Well I hope so. Apparently she has cancer and every time she picks up Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer) her cancer gets worse.  Chemo won't help at all because the Hammer pretty much erases everything the treatments have done. Odin has gone crazy because he believes the Hammer belongs to him and some girl has it.  The Elvish world is introduced in this comic so I look forward to seeing more of it in the next volume. I like that Marvel has put cancer in their comic.  I think most people know someone who has cancer, even children know someone.  So I think everyone can relate to that part.  There is only about 200 ratings on goodreads so I'm not sure how many people are really reading this series. 
4 out of 5

I don't know... I'm not totally in love with the Star Wars comics yet. I've given plenty of them a go.  I almost didn't finish this one.  Luckily I checked someone's review on goodreads which explained what was going on and I continued.  So Vader now knows Luke is his son and still tries to find him.  Vader continues to build a droid army by stealing supplies from the Empire.  Vader gets another inspector following him around which is odd to me because why would Vader even put up with that. This comic also visits Naboo, bleh.  Some flashbacks of the prequels.  Honestly, I don't know if I'm going to continue on with this comic. I thought it was going to be way more evil (this was the problem I had with the Maleficent movie, they made her into a good guy). There is this side character in the book (see her on the cover?) and that confuses me because she gets a lot of the plot for her own story and this is supposed to a comic about Vader!  It's like the writers just didn't have enough ideas to come up with a great story about Vader.
1 out of 5

This counts for 57 comics towards my 2016 Graphic Novels Challenge.

 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author:  Sarah J Maas
Pages: 565
Published: September 2nd 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Ebook
Links: goodreads,  Sarah J Maas

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed? The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Times best-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.

I really love this series. I like that this book, the third book in the series, was able to add more characters. Of course when you add more characters the ones you have grown to love get less page time.  There were times in this book I thought should've been less wordy.  This caused the pacing to be off a little.  I was happy that this book traveled a little more throughout the world Maas has created.  We get to read about where the Fae live.  Plus Celaena's magic gets tested and finally advances.  That did take a while to get going in the story but I really love how Celaena's story is turning out.  Also.. what do I call the lead female character now?  Celaena?  Aelin? I'm confused.

So Manon is a witch and a new character in this book.  I really enjoyed her chapters.  I love a villain. Even though I think she is going to become a good person in future books from some foreshadowing. Dorian has a new love interest.  I didn't think there was enough time to really love her.  Rowan was a new character that we get to read a lot about.  I loved him.  He starts out so mysterious and then comes around to being a character that I really looked forward to reading about. I want to learn more about his history.

This book does remind me of a second book syndrome book. The ones where you spend a lot of time getting to places in the plot.  Basically Celaena is trying to find her magic, and trying to get to the places she needs to go.  The book really isn't moving the plot along much.  There is a lot of back story revealed which helps the reader understand Celaena more.

I still really enjoy this book despite the slower pace.  I'm looking forward to starting book 4.  I also noticed that there is now a coloring book!  Must check that out.

Reviews of other books in the series:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Sunday Post

Let's chat about what's going on this week... on my blog.. on other blogs... on the internet... and just everywhere!    I link up my post to Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Reader.

Hello all!  Sunday!  I'm so happy football is back.  One of my favorite things about this time of year.  Of course Halloween, and the leaves too.  I put up all my decorations today... I get so excited to see orange and purple glowing at night. Fall TV is back too.  I'm pretty much caught up on all the summer shows I'm watching so the DVR is open.  Of course I am about to marathon Luke Cage.  Can't just watch one of those episodes ... I have to watch them ALL.   

I've been trying to catch up on some reviews for the blog.  I'm really behind on reviewing comics.  Slowly catching up.  I plan on reading all the Throne of Glass novels so watch for the reviews for the next two books soon. I'm glad to be reading a series all at once, though I am sure those who follow the blog and don't read those books might find those posts a little boring.  I'm also reading the 3 compendiums of The Walking Dead.  Just finished the first one and am about to start the second one. So different then the show.  

We've started planning for the two Halloween parties we've been invited to and finally turned one down.  You are going to be shocked, but it's a Harry Potter party. A lot of characters had already been taken.  I picked the Grey Lady but seriously that's a hard costume.  I researched long and hard.  Most of the Harry Potter character costumes are hard to create unless you just wear robes.  Then I thought about being Cho Chang but when I went to Amazon the small/medium Ravenclaw robes were sold out.  I thought about being the fat lady and holding up a frame all night.  It was just drama so we nixed it. The other party we are going to is a 1920's theme and it's so much easier. 

Hope you are having a fantastic fall! 

Comic Adventures Issue #46

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This week I talk about Batwoman Vol. 6,  Supergirl Vol. 6 Crucible, Teen Titans Vol. 1 Blinded by the Light, and Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 4 Dark Truth.

So apparently this was the final issue in the Batwoman New 52 run. I really loved this comic when it first started.  I had never really read or knew much about Batwoman prior to the New 52. Odd things happen in this comic to not even finish a good story about Kate Kane.  Her sister is brought in for a little bit.  She is now Red Alice and she was really an evil killer.  Now she is teaming up with her sister Batwoman.  OK.  Then Morgan Le Fey turns up into this comic as a side story.  There is still the story about vampires. I really didn't like the art either.  It is messy.  I think this comic was kind of rushed.  Like... we have a contract for one more issue so let's just through it together. The characters on the cover are some sort of team pulled together for this comic.  Clayface, Etrigan, and Ragman.  Maybe they are some sort of team in another comic but I had never heard of them working together before.  But hey... let's just throw whatever in this final issue.  Really disappointing end to a comic that started out amazing.  Another comic that failed because behind the scenes there was drama with the writes and DC so the comic and the readers ended up suffering because of it. 

2 out of 5

Another new costume on a superhero.  Supergirl's new outfit isn't too bad though. The comic is about Kara spending time at a school for superheros.  I like that... it's like Monster High (which I secretly love every time I go to my cousin's house and she wants to watch it). Apparently this was the last issue of Supergirl in New 52.... so .. I'm not sure I loved how they ended the series either. I suppose maybe DC knew that the New 52 was coming to an end so they went ahead and started canceling all the titles. I kind of remember now finding out it was canceled right when the show was about to start airing on CBS. I thought the show was really good.  I'm glad that it wasn't completely canceled and it moving to the CW now.  The only thing is our local CW still hasn't bothered to upgrade to HD.  What is this??  2005?  When Smallville used to be on CW we would contact them all the time about getting switched to HD and they would always tell us it was happening next year.  It's 2016 now....  Anyways, I totally just went off on a tangent. I feel like now that this series is finished it never really fleshed out Supergirl.  She was whinny through the whole series, always wondering who she was.  Constantly fighting with Superman.  Never really getting along with the human race.  I think if you haven't read this series you should just go ahead and skip it.
3 out of 5

So... I really enjoy Teen Titans.  I'm not sure why DC had to revamp it in the middle of the New 52 but they did and here it is.  I actually also received a copy of it with my purchase of Justice League vs Teen Titans DC movie (which was pretty good).  The art in the comic was amazing.  Sometimes I had a hard time reading it but that's because the comics that come with the Best Buy special editions of the DC animated movies are small (fitting in the DVD box) so the lettering is tiny. There aren't a lot of introductions of the characters so hopefully you know who everyone is. I also don't know if Power Girl really looks like a teenager?  She looks like a full grown woman! I think this series is continuing into the Rebirth but I'm not sure.  I know it's going up to volume 3 at least. Have you ever checked out the show Teen Titans Go?  It's actually pretty funny.  Blinded by the Light has a lot to do with STARR labs.  I really enjoy reading about STARR Labs so if you enjoy learning more about them this is a good comic for that. 

4 out of 5

Best Buy Edition

This series!  This tiny review will be filled with spoilers so beware.  Clark is all upset because Lois revealed who he was in another comic.  So the whole world knows Clark is Superman and he is trying to hide that.  Wonder Woman is trying to be there for him through all this.  He is so stressed out that he breaks up with her telling her he doesn't love her.  WHAT THE?  I mean... this comic probably doesn't have much time before the New 52 is over.  They couldn't just keep them together?  She is going to be there for him though no matter what (barf) and they end up fighting the New Suicide Squad and just pretty much squashing them.  I don't know.. I feel like a strong woman like Wonder Woman would be pretty ticked at Clark for kicking her to the curb for no reason.  I don't even know how the comic can go on if they are broke up?  I guess there is a volume 5 coming and that's the final volume it seems. This has a little more crossover then I would like from the Superman New 52 and I haven't really kept up with those as much as I would've liked. 

3 out of 5 

This counts for 53 comics towards my 2016 Graphic Novels Challenge.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pages: 418
Published: August 27th 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens 
Source: Ebook
Links: goodreads, Sarah J Maas.com

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart. Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

I am really enjoying this series. I am so happy to be reading a series where all the books are out! YES! I think this book series is so addictive.  The way Maas does world building is fantastic. So this book picks up immediately where the last book ends.  Celaena is now the King's Champion and so she has to do what he says. She not only has that to worry about but also the Wyrdmarks.  There is of course a little love drama. Chaol, Dorian and Celaena are kind of a love triangle.  I like how the author just nips it in the butt and it's not an annoying love triangle.  Nehemia is an amazing character in this book.  She is so strong and what Celaena should be.

One thing I  liked about this book was that we get to explore a little bit more or Celaena's past.  Not too much.  But enough.  Some of her past I didn't totally expect which is something I really really enjoy.  I love to be surprised when I read.  I had no idea what was going to happen in this book.  The previous book had a straightforward plot.  We knew Celaena needed to be the champion and win. But then ... nothing.  So when this book started I was excited to see what were her missions going to be. I also like how flawed the characters are.  They all make mistakes.  Things they wish they hadn't done, or actually don't have a problem with the choice they made.  This book does a good job of making the reader hate the villain, the King of Adarlan. One character that did not get enough page time is Mort.  An ancient talking doorknob. I really wanted more from him.

This is a decent sequel.  Sometimes series suffer from second book syndrome where it is really just a filler book. Crown of Midnight really moves the story along.  I am pretty much almost done with book three so be sure to look for that review soon.

Reviews of other books in the series:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Comic Adventures Issue #45

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about Wonder Woman Volume 8 New 52,  Rat Queens Volume 3 Demons,  He-Man The Eternity War Vol. 2, and 

I love Wonder Woman in the New 52.  Yeah, I've said that before.  There is a big costume change as you can see on the cover over there.  Wonder Woman is always getting a costume makeover these days. No one wants her too girly, too slutty, to manly, I mean the old school costume was just fine. Donna Troy is the villain from the previous volume.  What I like about her is she is pretty much the same as Wonder Woman but darker.  More finishing up plots here.  Wonder Woman is the God of War, she is apart of the Justice League, she is queen of the Amazons. Strife has turned out to be one of my favorite characters in the series.  She is such a troll.  She gets Troy to break out of prison and just laughs about it. She pretty much convinces Troy to go to the Fates to get her life string cut only to find out she doesn't have one!!! I wish the Fates had been drawn a little better.  Overall... I love that the mythology is still here in the comic. I'll be sad when rebirth comes around in volumes because I'm sure they'll take Wonder Woman in a new direction. 
4 out of 5

I love the Rat Queens soooo much!  This comic series is really amazing.  Especially if you like fantasy and adventure type stories. I love the all female cast of character that run around in an adventuring company. I did just read that this comic would be continuing as a webcomic.  UGHHH... I don't know if sales were just really down or what.  I know there has been a lot of controversy with the artists and writers.  Pushing each other out, arrests, so much drama behind the scenes. I don't know how I feel about the whole webcomic thing?  I mean.... is it going to be free?  I get these from the library so I'm wondering. The new artist does draw the girls way more sexual, but that happens in DC Marvel comics too.  I enjoyed this comic but I'm not going to continue in this series if there are no more issues that we know are going to come out for sure.  It's unprofessional to me and awful for the readers to have to deal with it as well.  I feel like the publisher should've nixed this in the butt sooner. 
3 out of 5.

I'm sad that the He-Man DC run is done.  I really enjoyed it.  I thought this would a good ending to the series.  Nothing was left up in the air.  Skeletor finally becomes the villain he should be. I was getting tired of him not really having a big presence. Finding out more about Skeletor's past was so interesting to read.  I love a good villain backstory. Skeletor claims he is going to take Hordak's power and save the universe. This comic kind of leads into a possible She-Ra series.  The Crystal Castle is shown for She-Ra to be the queen of this castle.  I loved to see it. Swift Wind is in this comic as well and is as loyal to She-Ra as expected. OK.. I'm a She-Ra fan girl. I suppose there just wasn't enough fan base to keep these comics going.  I look on goodreads and there aren't a lot of reviews.  He-Man is a fantastic comic series though and I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy.  Though the Eternity War did drag a little... went on a little too long.  Sorry to see that this is the end of it.

4 out of 5

Justice League to me has been one of the top comics that came out of the New 52.  So Mobius wants war with Darkseid, saying the New Gods are dead (I think the New Gods are from Convergence??).  So this is why Mobius and Darkseid want to fight each other.  I guess...  Then the Justice League joins because the battleground is going to be Earth! There's a couple side stories squeezed in.  Superman and Lex Luther get boomed somewhere and have to figure out how to get back together.  Batman and Green Lantern get stuck together and I think that it's hilarious.  Their banter is funny. No Aquaman in this volume... um... guess he's doing his own thing. The art is something I love... Justice League has been able to keep great artists on board. This is the type of comic you are either going to like or don't like.  Either you like huge epic battles or you don't.  I am glad this isn't some huge crossover event and it's all taking place in the Darkseid War arc.

5 out of 5

This counts for 49 comics towards my 2016 Graphic Novels Challenge.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Author: JK Rowling
Pages: 343
Published: July 31st 2016 by Little, Brown UK
Source: Library
Links: Pottermore

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.

Well... you know I had to read this. I read it right when it came out too. It's quite a quick read.  I'm glad I read it even though I was leery about it.  Yes it's going to change the way you thought the kids of Hogwarts were going to turn out. They are all adults now and all have kids. The story follows mostly the kid's story. In case you didn't know, the book is a play.  So be prepared to read it in the format of a script. I wish I could see this play so hopefully someday it comes to America. Albus Severus Snape who is Harry's youngest son is having a hard time in school.  He is trying to live up to his father's legacy which isn't easy.  Scorpius Malfoy, Draco's son, isn't having an easy time in school either so they become unlikely friends.  I hope you go into this book when you read it knowing nothing.  That makes everything even more surprising.

Cursed Child Cast

The following is going to have spoilers for this book.  I don't normally put spoilers in reviews but I want to actually chat about what this book was really about so proceed with caution.

Rowling does such a good job with mixing themes into her stories.  This book talks about supporting one another, parenting, seeing people for who they really are and accepting it, growing up, the feelings of needing to be perfect, and more. I liked reading about the gang of friends being together again. I did have some issues though with the parents.  Harry Potter is kind of shown as a bad father. I'm not a parent so I have no idea about Harry's feelings as a parent but I am sure it's not easy.  He and Severus really just don't get along.  Harry I think expects too much out of his son.  In my mind (before reading this book) I would think Harry would be an amazing parent but apparently not. Draco turns out to be the better father.  Really I love who Draco became as a man. Harry doesn't want Severus and Scorpios to be friends but Draco wants his son to be happy so pushes Harry to allow this.  I don't really like that Harry's character wouldn't want this.  Would he be so petty when he grew up to act like this?  This is what I'm talking about if you read this, characters might not be who you want them to be.

The book's real plot surrounds the Time Turner.  I don't always love time travel stories.  They can feel like a way to make a plot that wasn't there to begin with. The kids in the book come across one and decide to go back in time and change things around to make their lives better.  So we keep seeing a different future for Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco. It is interesting how just one choice in your life and change your entire destiny.

Now let's really get into the problems with the book. Sometimes I do think Rowling needs to let Harry Potter rest.  She's like that person that can never let high school go.  She constantly goes back and adds more and more to the story.  I obviously can't let go either because I keep reading everything that she puts out.   Who do you think is the villain of this book?  Voldemort.   Ughh... really?  Well OK fine, I can deal with that. But then... he has a child?  With Bellatrix LeStrange? Now I can see Bellatrix wanting to be with Voldemort so bad.  But Voldemort getting it on and having a child?  I don't know.  I mean... they would have to have sex.   Voldemort having sex?

End spoilers.

I think there is a middle of the road on this book.  You can read it and just like it. I don't think it's a love it or hate it book. I still don't love the cover. It's creepy.  I don't know who that child is on the cover either?  I recommend this book if you are a Harry Potter fan.  It's a fast read and there is the magic of Rowling's writing that will suck you in.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Comic Adventures Issues #44

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about The Gigantic Beard that was Evil, Batman Vol 8 Superheavy,  Y: The Last Man, and  Aquaman volume 7.

This graphic novel was crazy!  I'm so glad I discovered it.  The artwork is amazing. The comic is about a guy, Dave, who lives in a place called Here. It a town where everything is normal and nothing is different. Everything is perfect... reminds me a little of the Lego movie where everything was awesome.  Dave is a little different from the other people.  He has a nose hair that won't go away.  Every time he cuts it, it grows back. The town fears a place called There.  There is where bad things happen, though no one really knows what. No one has been there and returned.  There is supposed to be full of chaos. One day... Dave has terrible things happen. That hair that keeps growing back suddenly grows out of control! His hair causes a lot of drama in the town where everyone starts to stand outside Dave's house to watch his uncontrollable beard. His beard is eventually outlawed because it can't happen Here.  The town comes up with a plan to make sure Here is protected.  The story is a little preachy but really a nice tale of people conforming to what society wants.   5 out of 5

So I've been trying to finish the Batman series in the new 52 and maybe they just need to end it.  Batman has been replaced by Jim Gordon.  It's like Bruce Wayne get amnesia but then doesn't.  He has no interest in being Batman again.  Jim is chosen to be the new Batman and so now he's out and about trying to fight crime. Chosen by some group called Powers Corp.  I had to look at other reviews and realized I wasn't the only one who didn't know who that group is.  I guess it's being introduced in this comic.  Whatever. There is a sunflower villain in this comic.  I wasn't sure what I was seeing at first.. but yeah, a sunflower.  Bloom is his name.  He hands out seeds to people and it gives them superpowers. Bloom is going to be in the next volume and I would be interested in seeing where that villain goes.  Sometimes having the same villain over and over again gets boring.  Bloom is taking a chance on an entirely new villain which can be hard to get used to when I'm so used to all the villains from before.

2 out of 5

I remembering hearing so much about this comic so I had to go and read the first volume.  I've been waiting a while to write up some reviews and honestly I can't remember anything about this comic.  I have to go back and look at reviews to refresh my memory. So all the men in the world die, except one. This one man wants to go and find his girlfriend so he sets out into the world.  While out and about he meets all kinds of women.  Including a group who swears that if they find any living men they are going to murder them.  I thought this was odd because don't they want to populate the world again? Or just have a relationship with a man?? The even cut off one of their boobs so they are able to shoot at these men better because apparently women warriors used to do this.  I think I had planned to read more into this series but I totally forgot I was even reading this series so I'm going to just pass.  Which is really too bad because I've been trying to read more outside of superhero comics.

2 out of 5

This issue seemed to be a filler volume.  A story we have read before.  Aquaman's wife wants to kill him and she is taking over Atlantis. He is banned from Atlantis for not wanting to take over another world. Arthur never really questions why he's called a traitor for this. The people from Atlantis who are on Arthur's side still kind of think he's a traitor.  They never really take his side until things are revealed.    Mera's sister Siren is in this volume and I did enjoying that.  This volume kind of goes way off topic from the story we've been following since volume 1. The artwork is changed up in this volume, it is much darker. Justice League makes an appearance which was the best part of the comic.  I'm not too worried about finishing this series since the New 52 is coming to an end so I'll for sure finish out Aquaman.

3 out of 5

This counts for 45 comics towards my 2016 Graphic Novels Challenge.

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Title: Stars Above
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 400
Published: February 2nd 2016 by Feiwel & Friends
Source: Library
Links:  goodreads,

The enchantment continues.... The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies? With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles. -- The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles. Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch…. The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be. Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles. The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit. After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna. The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective. Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century..

Some of you may have noticed I haven't posted a book review in a while.  It was this book that kind of gave me the burn out.  I started to write the review for this book and just didn't know what to say. Not that the book was bad or anything but just I had nothing to say about it.  I hadn't run into a book yet that I just really had nothing to say about it.  So maybe this book was really just middle of the road for me.

I'm a little sad that this is the last book in this series, but at the same time I'm glad. I like when a series actually ends and doesn't go on and on and on (I'm looking at you Stephanie Plum).  This book is full of short stories.  I love short stories.  They are like a break from long novels.  I don't always love when an author wraps up characters nicely.  Sometimes you should just finish a novel and leave it.  JK Rowling keeps trying to wrap up Harry Potter and I'm like it's done.. leave it!  These short stories are actually pretty good.  Some not so relevant to whole overall arc of the series so those maybe could've been left out.  I'll do a short review on each story:

The Keeper:
This story is about Michelle Benoit and how she ended up being the caretaker of Cinder. We also learn more about how Scarlet comes to live with her.  Really a great background into this whole part of the story.  I often wondered about the way Scarlet comes to stay with her grandmother.  Though it is a little surprising she never discovered Cinder.

Glitches:
This story focuses on Cinder and when she first arrives to live with Adri and the family.  This one could've been just left up to the reader's imagination.  It is interesting to read about Cinder not remembering anything from her past but I didn't think it needed a whole story of it's own.  I suppose it was to make the reader feel bad for Cinder and how she grew up but I think that was explained enough in the main stories.

The Queen's Army:
This story is about Wolf and how he ends up in the queen's army.  It was really touching to read about his family, especially his brother.  Now this story about the sad background of a character was totally worth the read, unlike Cinder's story.  Wolf's background wasn't exactly touched on in the main series. I do think siblings always compete with each other whether they mean to or not, but to compete to a level where you really dislike the sibling is just sad.

Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky:
This was my least favorite story in the series and I really didn't see how it related to the whole overall series.  It's about Captain Carswell being basically a player in high school.  He ends up falling for a girl who is a little nerdy.  The most important part of this story I suppose is how much pressure Carswell's dad puts on him to do well in school.  Which eventually causes Carswell to rebel.  I knew some people in high school like this.  Their parents kept them so sheltered that once they were able to do what they wanted, they ended up going way to far with their freedom.

After Sunshine Passes By:
This is the story about how Sybil puts Crescent into the satellite.  Here is another good background story.  I was interested to know how Crescent ended up where she did. Crescent really had no idea that she was going to end up in the satellite.  She had thought she had done all this hard work for the Queen and then ended up in some sort of bubble for the rest of her life. She really thought she was going to Earth.

The Princess and the Guard:
This story focuses on the reasons why Winter never used her Lunar gift. Unfortunately, Winter uses her gift to try to save a servant from killing herself only to find out that the servant was bring severely abused and Winter only prolonged it. It just goes to show that we really don't know what's going on behind closed doors. We also find out about Winter's scars on her face.  Such a great background story.

The Mechanic:
This story goes way more into detail about the day that Kai meets Cinder.  This was another story that I don't think really needed to happen.  We could really just figure this all out in our minds.  Though I suppose it's still sweet to read the details about that day.  Iko has always been an annoying character to me in this book series.  I know she is supposed to be the comedy but she just comes off as annoying.  She makes a fool of herself in front of Kai as usual in this story.

Something Old, Something New:
Wolf and Scarlet are getting married.  I'm not totally surprised by this.  There were a lot of characters in this book who are probably going to get married. This was a story with a big bow on it.  We get to visit all the characters again after all that happened in the series. This was a good story and should've been included at the end of Winter. It was like visiting old friends and I'm glad this story was written.

After reading all the background stories I wonder if Meyer always planned on writing these backstories.  They must've popped in her head as she was writing the book and then she jotted them down for a later date.  I don't think I've ever read a book full of background stories about all the characters in a series.  Since the author basically wrote this boo for her fans I will give this a higher score.  Only because it is very obvious that this is a book for people who need their favorite characters stories wrapped up. I would've been find without this book.

3 out of 5 stars
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Fairest by Marissa Meyer  
Winter by Marissa Meyer