Jill's Book Blog

Review: Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home

Title: Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home
Author: Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

GET READY TO RUN!

The “IT” book of the early 2000s with the original cast is back–Nico! Karolina! Molly! Chase! Old Lace! And, could it be…GERT?!

The heart of the Runaways died years ago, but you won’t believe how she returns! Superstar author Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park, Carry On) makes her Marvel debut with fan-favorite artist Kris Anka (ALL-NEW X-MEN, CAPTAIN MARVEL) in the series that will shock you and break your heart! Did Chase and Gert’s love survive their time apart? Have Karolina and Nico’s feelings made their friendship impossible? What emotional landmines lie in wait to DESTROY the Runaways?!

Review:

I read the original Runaways series a couple of years ago. I loved it, and I was so disappointed when I got to the last book. I was so excited about this new graphic novel series!

This story takes place two years after the ending of the old series. It’s been a while since I read it, so I didn’t remember how it ended. It took a while for me to catch on to what was happening. I also had the plot from the TV series on my mind, and that is a completely different story. However, I loved this story, too!

The graphics in this story were amazing. They looked so realistic. I wasn’t crazy about the art in the original series, so this one was a big improvement. There were also a bunch of funny parts. Who doesn’t love a villain with telepathic cats?

I loved this graphic novel! I’ll have to read the second one soon!

First Lines Friday – February 22

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:

“I shouldn’t have come to this party. I’m not even sure I belong at this party. That’s not on some bougie shit, either. There are just some places where it’s not enough to be me. Either version of me. Big D’s spring break party is one of those places.”

Do you recognize these first lines?

…

And the book is… The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Goodreads synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Have you read The Hate U Give? What did you think of it?

Review: Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1)

Title: Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1)
Author: Amanda Foody
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Library
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, Enne has only one lead: the name Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn’t have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne’s offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless Mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi’s enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

And she’ll need to play.

Review:

I’ve been wanting to read this book for so long! It definitely lived up to the hype!

This story was different from other contemporary fantasy novels which are set in worlds that resemble past eras. This one was set in the City of Sin, which was like Las Vegas. Instead of kings and queens, there were gamblers and gang leaders.

The story was told between two perspectives: Enne’s and Levi’s. This gave two points of view of the city. Enne was new to the city so she was new to everything, just like the reader. Levi has always lived there, so there were many more characters and drama in his narrative. I preferred Enne’s narrative because I could relate to it more since she was a newcomer to the City of Sin.

I loved this story! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out in a couple of weeks.

TBR Thursday – February 21

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 Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater.

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.

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

Review: Romeo and Juliet (Manga Classics)

Title: Romeo and Juliet (Manga Classics)
Author: Stacy King, Crystal S. Chan, William Shakespeare
Genre: Manga
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 15, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A classic Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet is the tale of two star-crossed young lovers who dare to defy their feuding families, put aside all obstacles, and find happiness together – but at a tremendous cost. This grimly beautiful tale, set in the Renaissance Italy, follows Romeo and Juliet from their hateful first meeting to their last.

Manga Classics ™ brings you this incredible new manga version of William Shakespeare’s most popular play, featuring the unaltered original text in its entirety!

Review:

I love the collection of Manga Classics! I was so excited about the Romeo and Juliet manga because it is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays.

I have fond memories of this play because my class performed it in grade 5. It was the first Shakespeare play I ever read. I can still remember parts of it off by heart.

This was a great adaptation of the play. My favourite part was Juliet’s nurse. She was such a funny and dramatic character. She would ramble on about things without getting to the point. Her character in this story was a large woman who screamed a lot. She was overly dramatic, which added a lot of humour to this tragic story.

This is a great adaptation of Romeo and Juliet!

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – February 20

This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.

The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is We Are the Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan. The release date is May 21, 2019.

Goodreads Synopsis:

This witty, warm-hearted retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is a love letter to female friendship. Perfect for Stephanie Perkins fans, and anyone who’s ever thought of trying on a new identity to impress a guy.

Aphra Brown is bold and outgoing. Her best friend, Bethany, is achingly beautiful. Individually, they could both do a little better in the self-esteem department, but together? Together, they have what it takes to win over Greg D’Agostino, a proverbial “ten,” who happens to be fluent in six languages–seven if you count the language of smoldering gazes . . .
What begins as an honest mistake turns into an elaborate deception, wherein Bethany goes on dates with Greg while Aphra coaches her on what to say, and texts him in the guise of Bethany, trying and failing, all the while, to tamp down her own hopeless crush. It’s only a matter of time before things come crashing down. The question is: What will happen when Greg finds out? And can Aphra and Bethany’s friendship survive the fallout?
From the author of We Regret to Inform You comes a witty, warm-hearted exploration of love in all its forms, and a cris-de-coeur for self-acceptance when the pressure to be perfect is overwhelming.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Top 5 Wednesday – Love Interests You Would Have Broken Up With

This meme is hosted by Lainey from Thoughts on Tomes. The Goodreads Group for Top 5 Wednesday can be found here.

This week’s prompt is Love Interests You Would Have Broken Up With. Here’s my list:

1. Henry (The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin)

2. Reggie (Reggie and Me by Tom DeFalco)

3. Lukas Grey (The Black Witch by Laurie Forest)

4. McGraw (Giant Days by John Allison)

5. Harvey (Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Magic Within by Tania del Rio)

Who are the love interests you would have broken up with?

Blogger to Blogger Series: An Interview with Jill @ Jill’s Book Blog

This is my interview for the Blogger to Blogger series with The Reading Chick aka Deborah Kehoe! I love her blog, so you should definitely check it out! Thanks Deborah!

The Reading Chick

I always know when Jill releases a post because in my mind her pink graphic (see pink stripes below) is synonymous with her posts. She alternates between reviews from many genre’s, weekly wrap ups, and commentary. Her voice is articulate, genuine, and exudes a niceness that is emphasized by her pink stripes. It would just be wrong to love pink and write naughty reviews, wouldn’t it? If you haven’t checked out her blog, then please click the link below, but COME BACK! You won’t want to miss her answers to my 10 questions.

Jill @ Jill’s Book Blog

Let’s get to those answers, shall we?

Blogging is universal and even though we inhabit the same community, we don’t always live in the same country. What country do you live in?

I live in Canada.

What is the view outside your front door?

The view outside my front door is of…

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Review: The Black Coats

Title: The Black Coats
Author: Colleen Oakes
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 12, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Roses are read, violets are blue, if you hurt us, we’re coming for you.

The deeply secretive Black Coats have been exacting vengeance on men who hurt girls and women for years. And Thea has just received an invitation to join them. This is the opportunity she’s been waiting for to finally get justice for her cousin Natalie, whose killer went free.

Thea dives head first into the group, training every day with other girls whose stories rival hers. Together they carry out Balancings—acts of revenge guaranteed to teach a lesson. With every predator threatened, every blackmailer exposed, and every date rapist punished, Thea can feel herself getting closer to avenging Natalie’s death.

But then the Balancings begin to escalate in brutality, and Thea discovers that the Black Coats are not all they seem to be. Thea must confront just how far she’s willing to go for justice—and what kind of justice Natalie, and Thea herself, deserve. Because when the line between justice and revenge is razor thin, it’s hard not to get cut.

Review:

I loved this story!

The premise is so intriguing. The idea of women getting revenge on men who have harmed women sounds fair and just. However, there is a cloudy moral area, where you have to determine where their justice ends. Though it should balance out the men’s harm to women, the women could also go too far. I was glad that they addressed this issue later in the book.

The second half of the book was so thrilling! The first part took a lot of time to show how the Black Coats operate and how they complete their Balancings. In the second half of the book, the story took a surprising turn, which was great!

This is a fabulous story that definitely lived up to my expectations!

Top Ten Tuesday – Books I LOVED with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads

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 Books I LOVED with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads. This was so interesting to research, because there are so many amazing books which have so few ratings! Here’s my list: