Month: November 2018

Review: The Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2)

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Title: The Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2)
Author: Mike Maihack
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Source: Library
Format: ebook
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Cleopatra’s space adventure in the REALLY far future continues!

When a mysterious thief steals the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Cleopatra In Space, Book One: Target Practice, Cleo is determined to get it back, but her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life. Stuck at school, Cleo is having a hard time adjusting to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy and the time tablets that could decide her fate, she must go on a dangerous journey to find them before they can fall into the wrong hands.

Review:

There were loads of Egyptian references in this second book in the Cleopatra in Space series. I loved it when I recognized something from ancient Egypt. The way that the ancient figures appear in this futuristic story were great! There was even a new character who was very important to the real Cleopatra.

There was also lots of action. It was a quick read because many of the pages were taken up by chase scenes which filled multiple frames at once. I wish there had been more dialogue because that would have added more to the story than just the images.

I can’t wait to read the next book. This one ended with the possibility of Cleopatra returning to her time, so I’m not sure what will happen next.

What to read next:

  • Secret of the Time Tablets (Cleopatra in Space #3) by Mike Maihack

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  • Secret Coders (Secret Coders #1) by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

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Have you read The Thief and the Sword? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – November 19

This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!

What I just finished:

I recently finished Jughead, Vol. 2 by Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Derek Charm.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski.

What I’m reading next:

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Next I will be reading Shadow of the Fox by by Julie Kagawa.

What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – November 18

Here’s my weekly wrap up!

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 7 weekly blogging memes:

I’m also hosting a giveaway to celebrate my 1000 followers! You can enter here.

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… Gimme a Call

The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.

This Sunday I’m flying to London! I’m going to my graduation in Gloucestershire this week. I’m reading Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A new life is just a phone call away!

Devi’s life isn’t turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn’t join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn’t some wacko—she realizes that she’s been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she’s already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Fans of Sarah Mlynowski’s Magic in Manhattan series will love this hilarious novel with a high-concept premise .

What book are you in bed with today?

Review: Jughead, Vol. 2

Title: Jughead, Vol. 2
Author: Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Derek Charm
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Library
Format: ebook
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

JUGHEAD VOL. 2 is the second collection of the historic JUGHEAD series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North and Derek Charm. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Jughead and Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its essence and humor through the talents of some of the most popular creators in the comic book industry. In the grand tradition of comic book reboots like ARCHIE VOL. 1, Archie Comics proudly presents… JUGHEAD VOL. 2–from the super team of Chip Zdarsky (HOWARD THE DUCK), Ryan North (THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL) and Derek Charm (REGULAR SHOW)! New story! New arc! New creative team! Let’s not compare them too harshly with the old creative team though–they were awesome. This new team is pretty good too though, lots of talent and they really do try their best.

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Review:

This is an awesome Jughead collection!

These comics were much funnier than the first volume. It starts out with Jughead and Archie getting lost in the woods. They come across Mr. Weatherbee, who helps them escape. It was different for Mr. Weatherbee to interact with them outside of school. His wife even made an appearance!

In the last half of the volume, Jughead goes on a date with a girl who works as a hamburger mascot for Pop Tate. The girl ends up being Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Jughead doesn’t make the best date, so she has to try to get revenge.

I loved this book! I highly recommend it to fans of Archie Comics!

What to read next:

Jughead, Vol. 3 by Ryan North, Ian Flynn, Mark Waid, Derek Charm

Have you read Jughead, Vol. 3? What did you think of it?

Stacking the Shelves – November 17

This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I was approved for two books on NetGalley:

  • Sliding Home by Joyce Grant
  • You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn

Thank you James Lorimer & Company and St. Martin’s Press for copies of these books! 

What books did you get this week?

Review: Father Christmas and Me (Christmas #3)

Title: Father Christmas and Me (Christmas #3)
Author: Matt Haig
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Canongate Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: ebook
Release Date: October 16, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

It isn’t always easy, growing up as a human in Elfhelm, even if your adoptive parents are the newly married Father Christmas and Mary Christmas.

For one thing, Elf School can be annoying when you have to sing Christmas songs everyday – even in July – and when you fail all your toy-making tests. Also it can get very, very cold.

But when the jealous Easter Bunny and his rabbit army launch an attack to stop Christmas, it’s up to Amelia, her new family and the elves to keep Christmas alive. Before it’s too late . . .

Review:

This is another amazing Christmas story from Matt Haig! There were funny parts and sad parts. I don’t normally like reading sad stories, especially sad Christmas stories. Many of them seem to pull on your heartstrings. The sad parts of this story were resolved, so I wasn’t left feeling down. I liked the addition of the Easter Bunny in this story. He isn’t the loving bunny that he usually is in stories. Instead he was more of an evil dictator. That was an amusing twist on the holiday story. I also love the Truth Pixie who appeared in this story. She’s so funny because she can only tell the truth and she must answer all questions. I really enjoyed this book! This is a great series for the holidays!

What to read next:

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig

Have you read Father Christmas and Me? What did you think of it?

First Lines Friday – November 16

This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.

Here are my first lines:

“‘Jasper!’ Imogene Chively shouted as she jumped to her feet, flinging her sketch into the grass. ‘Don’t move! Stay. Stay exactly where you are!’ Grabbing her skirts ankle-height with one hand and desperately waving the other, she raced across the courtyard of the old castle. ‘Emily, help!’ she shouted over her shoulder without a backward glance.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

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And the book is… Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey.

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Goodreads synopsis:

Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father’s approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.

Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother’s intended.

But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of “accidents,” it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . .

Have you read Suitors and Sabotage? What did you think of it?

Review: Pest Control

Title: Doctor Who: Pest Control
Author: Peter Anghelides (narrated by David Tennant)
Genre: Science Fiction, Audiobooks
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks
Source: Purchased
Format: audiobook
Release Date: May 8, 2008
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The TARDIS is lost in battle on a distant planet. When the Doctor sets off in pursuit, Donna is left behind, and finds herself accepting a commission in the Pioneer Corps. Something is transforming soldiers into monstrous beetles, and she could be the next victim. Meanwhile, the Doctor steals a motorbike and stages a jailbreak. Well, how hard can it be to find the TARDIS, rescue Donna, and negotiate a peace? But that’s before the arrival of a brutal and remorseless mechanical exterminator, bent on wiping out the insects. It may be that nothing can stop it, because this robot’s solution for the infestation is very simple: kill everything. Featuring the Doctor and Donna, as played by David Tennant and Catherine Tate in the hit series from BBC Television, this story has been written specially for audio, and is read by David Tennant.

Review:

I love these Doctor Who audiobooks.

This one was narrated by David Tennant, who played the Tenth Doctor. He was my favourite Doctor. I was shocked at first to hear him narrating the story in his Scottish accent! I wasn’t expecting that since he has an English accent on the show.

I found the story a little confusing at times, because there were some unusual new creatures in the story. However, Tennant did a great job of giving each character a distinctive voice, which made the story very entertaining.

This was a great story for fans of the show.

What to read next:

Doctor Who: Dead Air by James Goss (narrated by David Tennant)
Doctor Who: The Forever Trap by Dan Abnett (narrated by Catherine Tate)

Have you listened to Doctor Who: Pest Control? What did you think of it?

TBR Thursday – November 15

TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.

My pick this week is Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia’s family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess–a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She’s endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn’t always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?