Review: A Study in Scarlet

Title: A Study in Scarlet
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Arianna Bellucci (illustrator)
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Sweet Cherry Publishing
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 25, 2019
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Body thought to be that of E.J. Drebber discovered last night in empty London house. No obvious cause of death. Address given as Cleveland Ohio. Any information would be appreciated. 
After a mysterious murder leaves the police baffled, the world’s best amateur detective is asked to investigate. 
Along with his fellow lodger, Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes sets about uncovering a quest for revenge that runs far deeper than anybody suspected. 

A simplification of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, perfect for young fans of mystery books. A great introduction to classics for children aged 7+.

Review:

I love Sherlock Holmes stories! A Study in Scarlet is the first story about Sherlock Holmes. It is a great introduciton to the character. 

This is a simplified version of the story for young readers. There were definitions of some words that kids may not have encountered before, which is a great way to help them understand the story. The story was also shorter than the original, with lots of illustrations for easier understanding. 

This is a great Sherlock Holmes story for young readers!

Thank you Sweet Cherry Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

What to read next:

The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Arianna Bellucci (illustrator)

Have you read A Study in Scarlet? What did you think of it?

Top Ten Tuesday – Halloween Books for Young Readers

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is a Halloween Freebie, so I decided to choose a list of Halloween Books for Young Readers. Here’s my list:

1. The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

3. The Witches by Roald Dahl

4. The Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

5. Kitten in the Candy Corn by Ben M. Baglio

6. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

7. The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstain

8. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Jane B. Mason

9. Arthur’s Halloween by Marc Brown

10. Clifford’s First Halloween by Norman Bridwell

(All photos taken from Goodreads)

What’s your list of Halloween Books?

Review: Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Kicked in the Teeth

Title: Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Kicked in the Teeth
Author: Adam Glass, Federico Dallocchio, Clayton Henry
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event of September 2011, writer and co-creator of the CW show Supernatural Adam Glass rolls out an all-new team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous–they’re sheer suicide! The story begins with the Suicide Squad defeated, imprisoned and being interrogated about their newest mission. Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot and company must make it out alive without revealing who’s pulling the strings behind their illegal operations. Who will be the first to crack under the pressure? More importantly will they make it all out alive?

Review:

This is a great start to this series. 

There is an ensemble cast of a bunch of DC Comics criminals in the Suicide Squad. They join together to fight against bigger villains. Even though this is a big group of people, each one gets their own space in the graphic novel. Harley Quinn is my favourite character, and I was pleased to see how much she was involved. She especially played an important part in the ending of the graphic novel, which was a great cliffhanger.

I enjoyed this graphic novel. I’m curious to see what happens next!

What to read next:

Suicide Squad, Vol. 2: Basilisk Rising by Adam Glass, Fernando Dagnino

Have you read Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Kicked in the Teeth? What did you think of it?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – October 28

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:

This weekend I finished The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Renée Nault, Margaret Atwood.

What I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman.

What I’m reading next:

Next I will be reading The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater.

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

Jill’s Weekly Wrap-Up – October 27

Here are my reviews for the week with my ratings:

I did 9 weekly blogging memes:

How was your week? What did you guys read?

Sundays in Bed With… The Toll

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 reading The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes the thrilling conclusion to the Printz Honor–winning series Arc of a Scythe.

It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.

In this pulse-pounding conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy, constitutions are tested and old friends are brought back from the dead. 

What book are you in bed with today?

Six for Sunday – Witch-y Books

This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Witch-y Books. Here’s my list:

1. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

2. The Witches by Roald Dahl

3. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu, Suzanne Walker

4. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

5. Season of the Witch by Sarah Rees Brennan

6. The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams

Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of Witch-y Books?

(All book cover images from Goodreads)

Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3)

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The third installment in the all-new series from the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. 

The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

Review:

This was a great book in the Raven Cycle series!

There are many subplots that go along with the main plot of Gansey’s search for Glendower. Each of the main characters (Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Blue) have their own distinct lives and stories. They each have their own subplots, which could be their own plot in an individual book. Though the book isn’t too long, each character could easily take up their own book to tell their story.

Maggie Stiefvater does a great job at characterization. There is an ensemble cast, but everyone gets their own part. The characters seem like real people, because they have detailed backgrounds, motivations, and goals. I felt like I really knew them as people.

I love the historical elements of the story, as well. The search for the Welsh king Glendower brings in lots of Welsh history to the story. The fictional town, Henrietta, also has an extensive history, making it a character in itself.

I really enjoyed this book! I’m excited to see how the series ends in the next book!

What to read next:

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Love and Other Curses by Michael Thomas Ford

Have you read Blue Lily, Lily Blue? What did you think of it?

Stacking the Shelves – October 26

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 a book on NetGalley from Amulet Books:

Blood Countess by Kana OPopović

Thank you Amulet Books for this book!

What books did you get this week?

Review: Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

Title: Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
Author: Bill Willingham
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Publisher: Vertigo
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 22, 2012 (originally December 31, 2002)
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the “mundys,” their name for normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters created their own secret society that they call Fabletown. From their exclusive luxury apartment buildings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, these creatures of legend must fight for their survival in the new world.

Fables is the winner of 14 Eisner Awards and is one of the most enduring Vertigo titles ever. Here, in this new, 10th anniversary edition, is a newly colored 8-page story from the Fables prose work Peter & Max: A Fables Novel, as well as a beautiful new cover from series artist Mark Buckingham.

Collecting:Fables #1-5

Review:

I first read Fables a few years ago and I loved it! I love adaptations of fairytales, and this series is a lot of fun.

The characters from fairytales have left their lands and entered the human world, or the mundane as they call it. They have to keep their special powers hidden or they face consequences from their leaders, in particular Snow White and Bigby, the Big Bad Wolf.

In this story, Snow White’s sister, Red Rose, has gone missing. Red Rose’s apartment was covered in blood, but her body was not there. Snow White and Bigby have to search for the answers to her disappearance, and possibly find her body.

Though this series is based on fairytales, it is not meant for children. There are adult themes and language in the story. However, they are entertaining and funny. I highly recommend this series!

What to read next:

Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham

Have you read Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile? What did you think of it?