Jill's Book Blog

Review: She-Hulk, Volume 1: Deconstructed

Title: She-Hulk, Volume 1: Deconstructed
Author: Marino Tamaki, Nico Leon, Matt Milla
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Purchased
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jennifer Walters has survived the second Civil War…barely. But, having risen from the rubble, she re-enters the world a very different kind of hero. Fueled by a quiet rage, she is determined to move forward, to go on with her life – but the pain of the past and all that she’s lost is always there. An undercurrent, a pulse waiting to quicken -and trigger Jen’s transformation into the one thing she doesn’t have control over…

COLLECTING: HULK 1-6

Review:

She-Hulk, aka Jennifer Walters, is my favourite superhero! I’m so excited about this new series!

This story takes place after the Civil War. Jen has a hard time dealing with the death of one of the Avengers (I won’t give the name in case of spoilers). But she forced herself to get back into her job as a lawyer. This story showed more of her work life, than her personal life.

I loved the story of Maise Brewn. It was so creepy and scary. As soon as I saw her, I gasped, and I realized maybe it wasn’t the best choice to read this before bed… She looks like some kind of ghost with gray skin and black eyes. But the creepy aspect of Maise and her odd apartment really kept me excited and curious about the story.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel, and I can’t wait to read the next volumes!

Review: Stay Sweet

Title: Stay Sweet
Author: Siobhan Vivian
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream.

Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…

Review:

This is a cute summer read!

I liked the characters in this story. Amelia seems like a simple girl, but she handled tough situations really well. She didn’t expect to be made Head Girl at the ice cream stand, but from the way she reacted to problems, she earned that position. Cate was a great contrast to her. She was much wilder with a carefree attitude, but very outspoken.

The story had some great twists right at the beginning. Molly’s death was quite a surprise. It made the story very serious for a while. But then it picked back up. It was also a twist that the stand was no longer be run solely by women. This was a great twist since women in higher positions in business is an important topic in the world today.

I also loved how the story included some of Molly’s perspective in the form of her diary from when she started making ice cream. It demonstrated that though Amelia and Molly were born decades apart, they were connected through their dedication to the business. This also kept Molly in the story after she died.

I really liked this story. It would be a great beach read this summer!

Review: The Lost Path

Title: The Lost Path
Author: Amélie Fléchais
Genre: Children’s fiction
Publisher: Lion Forge
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

If you’ve got the taste for adventure, come join this treasure hunt! Three young boys set off from Camp Happiness, map in hand, determined to be the first to find the treasure before anyone else. But the shortcut they take leads to something far more spectacular and sinister! All manner of magical beasties live in these woods, and the kids find themselves caught between warring Forest Spirits. Will the three boys find their way out of trouble? Get your map and ready, set, go! Amélie Fléchais’s incredible artwork combines the best of French illustration with manga influences. A spooky new fairytale, for fans of Over the Garden Wall.

Review:

I loved Amélie’s book The Little Red Wolf, so I was excited to read this one.

This is a quirky story with fairytale elements. It’s great that the main characters are boys, because most fairytales have girls as the main characters, so boys are reluctant to read them.

There were some strange monsters in the story that seemed to be part of the forest. I loved how the drawings showed the creatures slowly emerging from the ground through a series of images. One of the boys wore a robot helmet throughout the story, which reminded me of when kids have to carry around or wear one thing constantly for a period. At times, the story would switch to his perspective and he saw the world made of robots. I liked that unique twist in the story.

I really enjoyed this story. It’s a short read that would be great for kids!

TBR Thursday – May 3

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 Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On – The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story – but far, far more monsters.

I loved Fangirl but I’ve been waiting to read Carry On because I don’t want that story to be over. Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Review: Leading Lines

Title: Leading Lines
Author: Chantel Guertin
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: ECW Press
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

After two drama-filled weeks in Manhattan, Pippa Greene is back. Despite a romantic reunion with boyfriend Dylan, she can’t seem to shake the emotional aftermath of New York. As she navigates parental drama at home and her charged dynamic with Ben Baxter at school, Pippa finds that Dylan is more wrapped up in his post-high-school life of bands, shows, and new friends than in their relationship. Will it survive?

Written with the same humour and heart that made Chantel Guertin’s first two Pippa Greene novels instant favourites, Leading Lines offers a fresh and charming perspective on friendships, family, and first love.

Review:

I loved this third installment in the Pippa Greene series.

I could really relate to Pippa. I was frustrated for her while she had to navigate her confusing relationships with Dylan and Ben. They were both annoying in their own ways, but she couldn’t resist them.

The characters all have a lot of depth beyond their relationships. Dylan still has to deal with his past cancer battle. Pippa also has to deal with her discovery of her biological father in New York. These aspects keep the story moving, and make the characters unique.

This is a fabulous series that I highly recommend! The fourth book is being released in a couple of weeks, so there’s still time to catch up!

‘Waiting on’ Wednesday – May 2

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 War Storm by Victoria Aveyard.

Goodreads Synopsis:

VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

What books are you waiting on this week?

Review: Song of Blood & Stone

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Title: Song of Blood & Stone
Author: L. Penelope
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A treacherous, thrilling, epic fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers.

Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive–an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart.

Jack’s mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagamiri is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and it’s people from the True Father and he needs Jasminda’s Earthsong to do it. They escape their ruthless captors and together they embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps.

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation.

The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

Review:

This is a great YA fantasy story.

I loved how quickly the action began in this story! I was immediately thrown into Jasminda’s life and problems. And right after she was introduced, Jack and some soldiers appeared on her doorstep. The only problem with this was that there wasn’t any background given about this world, so when things started happening in the world around Jasminda and Jack, I was a little confused.

Once I figured out what was happening in the wider world of the story, I really enjoyed it. The pacing was great. It all moved very quickly, so I flew through the book.

I’m curious to see where this series goes. I can’t wait to read the next story.

Top Ten Tuesday – Authors I’d Slay a Lion to Get Their Books Early

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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’d Slay a Lion to Get Early, but I changed it to Authors I’d Slay a Lion to Get There Books Early. Here’s my list:

1. J.K. Rowling

2. Stephen King

3. Marissa Meyer

4. Leigh Bardugo

5. Becky Albertalli

6. Angie Thomas

7. Nicola Yoon

8. Victora Schwab

9. Maggie Stiefvater

10. Jason Reynolds

(all images taken from Goodreads)

Review & Book Launch: The Home for Unwanted Girls

Title: The Home for Unwanted Girls
Author: Joanna Goodman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Source: Purchased
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Philomena meets Orphan Train in this suspenseful, provocative novel filled with love, secrets, and deceit—the story of a young unwed mother who is forcibly separated from her daughter at birth and the lengths to which they go to find each other.

In 1950s Quebec, French and English tolerate each other with precarious civility—much like Maggie Hughes’ parents. Maggie’s English-speaking father has ambitions for his daughter that don’t include marriage to the poor French boy on the next farm over. But Maggie’s heart is captured by Gabriel Phénix. When she becomes pregnant at fifteen, her parents force her to give baby Elodie up for adoption and get her life ‘back on track’.

Elodie is raised in Quebec’s impoverished orphanage system. It’s a precarious enough existence that takes a tragic turn when Elodie, along with thousands of other orphans in Quebec, is declared mentally ill as the result of a new law that provides more funding to psychiatric hospitals than to orphanages. Bright and determined, Elodie withstands abysmal treatment at the nuns’ hands, finally earning her freedom at seventeen, when she is thrust into an alien, often unnerving world.

Maggie, married to a businessman eager to start a family, cannot forget the daughter she was forced to abandon, and a chance reconnection with Gabriel spurs a wrenching choice. As time passes, the stories of Maggie and Elodie intertwine but never touch, until Maggie realizes she must take what she wants from life and go in search of her long-lost daughter, finally reclaiming the truth that has been denied them both.

Review:

I loved this book! I had high expectations because I loved Joanna’s previous book, The Finishing School (that was also one of the first books I reviewed on my blog!).

The narrative switches between Maggie’s and Elodie’s perspectives. At first, I preferred Elodie’s story, because her experience at the orphanage was so new to me. But then I got hooked on Maggie’s story.

This story was heartbreaking, but it is an important story that needed to be told. I didn’t know about these orphanages that turned into psychiatric hospitals in Quebec. The story also had twists that I didn’t see coming, with some romance along the way. I highly recommend this book!

I was invited by HarperCollins Canada to attend the book launch at Ben McNally Books last week in Toronto. It was a great experience! Here are some photos from the event:

This book is amazing! Have you read it yet?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? – April 30

It's Monday! What Are You Reading

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: