Review: SECRETS OF THE STONES, Issue 1 by Sabrina Kidd!

About the Book: A secret worth sharing...

After suddenly awakening, completely alone and with mysterious injuries, Christine has no recollection of who or where she is. She finds herself pursued by dragons, rogue magicians, and an heiress hell-bent on revenge. Through her own instinct and intuition, Christine must try and piece together the story of her life. Who is a friend and who is a foe? Who had she been and who will she become? Sometimes it is only in our most vulnerable moments that we are able to find our true inner strength. [From Amazon.com]

My Review: I love graphic novels, so of course I jumped at the chance to read and review this. And it was definitely a quick and entertaining read. This is only an issue, not a full graphic novel, so it is much shorter than one might expect. And also, for that reason, it's hard to get a full grasp of the story because the more you get into it and the faster you flip through it - the end becomes a pained reminder that you'll have to wait for more.

That said, despite the length, this had a very entertaining and intriguing story. I wanted to know what was going on - it raised questions that had me curious, rather than annoyed like some issues of comics tend to do. And the art is truly beautiful. I love this style, the coloring - I'd gladly keep reading for the art alone, but the story holds its own against it as well.

I also want to throw in how much I appreciate the little shorts at the end. It added a bit of levity and humor right when I was getting a little sad that it was over so soon. Hopefully there will be more to come before long!

Cover Lovin': Very well done, attractive cover.

Recommendation: You'll be eager for the next issue!

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5)!! A very good start to what seems like it will be an entertaining series, but the length does leave something to be desired.

Get it from AMAZON today! 

Weekly Reading Update: 07/29 - 08/04/16!

Another week, another update… As always, click the title for more information!

I started my week off by reading The Matchmaker’s Playbook by Rachel Van Dyken. You might have seen my review of book two, The Matchmaker’s Replacement, earlier this week. I couldn’t just read the second book without the first! And I’m glad I did - I actually think I liked the first book more. It was told entirely from Ian’s perspective, which felt new and different. And all the characters had a fantastic sense of snark and humor.

Then I moved on to Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton. This is my first book by this author, and if this is any indication - I can see why she’s so popular! The book was funny, the characters were awesome (I’d love to be Natalie’s friend!), and I totally dug Natalie’s mental soundtrack. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book, and/or start her Cocktail series! I reviewed this one for Romance Reviews Today, so make sure to check it out - appearing in August 2016.

Then I moved on to a graphic novel binge. I got several in the past few days, and just hoarded them until I had a free evening to go through them all. I started out with Hawkeye volume 6: Hawkeyes by Jeff Lemire. While I do love Jeff Lemire’s work, usually, this one just didn’t feel as good as the first few volumes. The Hawkeye series went from four star read to three stars. But I’ll keep going. Then I moved on to Grayson volume 2: We All Die At Dawn by Tom King. If it wasn’t for the fact that I love Dick Grayson, I would drop this and never look back. I don’t enjoy reading this. And while Dick still has some good moments, they’re not enough to make reading it worthwhile. I’d read the next volume, maybe, if I was bored enough.

After that, I went on to Teen Titans volume 2: Rogue Targets by Will Pfeifer. Another series I wouldn’t mind dropping. Some of these characters are interesting, but we don’t get enough about them to really connect to the Titans. I generally really like DC titles, and I love following all the little Batlings (what I call all the Bat-sidekicks) - but not even Red Robin can make this title worth continuing.

Last, but definitely not least, I read The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis. This one is weird, guys. Very weird. The kind of weird that throws you for a huge loop at the beginning, but as you continue reading, you find yourself just sliding into the world as-is, and going with the flow. This was a recommendation from a friend of mine (he loves the odd ones!), and I’m glad I read it. But that ending… I’m still not over that ending! Grrr.

That’s it for me this week, reading-wise. Friday night, I get to meet Colleen Hoover as part of her It Ends With Us tour. I can’t wait!!!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Weekly Reading Update 7/8 - 7/14/16!

Another week, another update! As always, click the title for more information.

It feels like I have been super busy this week, but I’m not sure that’s really true. I think I’m just exhausted. We’re down five employees at work, so we’re all rushing at work to get everything done. Unfortunately, this means I’m worn out by the time I get home, and so I haven’t read too much. Mostly shorter books.

I finally read Driven by K. Bromberg. I’ve read another book by this a while ago, a later book in the series. I can see why people are so obsessed with it. I had to request the second book from the library, and I’m not sure how much longer I can stand to wait for it. There were quite a few moments where I wanted to shake both of the main characters, so they would come to their senses about each other. But in general, the first book has that tension that I enjoy so much in my romances.

I read a couple more Tor.com novellas. I’m working my way through all the ones my library system owns - I’m pretty addicted. I read Pieces of Hate by Tim Lebbon, as well as The Last Witness by K.J. Parker. Honestly, Pieces of Hate didn’t work for me. It’s a classic case of “great idea in theory, not so much in execution.” sigh. But The Last Witness was good. Not as amazing as some of the other novellas, but still a good read.

I’m still working my way through the Aftershock series by Jill Sorenson. Book three, Badlands, is Owen and Penny’s story, and I have been looking forward to this since book one! Just like the previous books in the series, this was another awesome romantic suspense, and one that immediately went on my wish-list upon finishing. I already have the next book, which is a quick novella in a book with another author. Honestly, I’m so eager to read Jill Sorenson’s story that I might just skip the other story in the book…

I finally got the chance to read Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. I loved it! I can see why it got so much good press in the romance community. It was another instant wish-list book. And now I’m going to have to find what else these two authors have written together.

I read Someone Like You by Jennifer Gracen for Romance Reviews Today. It was a good read, I really liked it, but it took me forever to read because I had so much other stuff going on. Tossing in the titles of a few other quick reads from this week - Learning to Ride by Erin Knightley, Batman & Robin Eternal Volume 1 by Scott Snyder, and Dead Things by Stephen Blackmoore. I read Learning to Ride because I wanted to give one of those Bookshots novellas a chance.. But I hate James Patterson, so I refused to read one of his books. Luckily another couple authors joined in the trend. Batman & Robin Eternal was awesome, and I can’t wait for the next volume. And Dead Things was read for our paranormal book club at work - it was so good. Amazing character development and story, despite it being less than 300 pages.

See you next week!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES by Neil Gaiman

Release Date: July 5th, 2016

Type: Graphic Novel, Dark Horse, Science Fiction, Whaaaat?

About the Book: Enn is a sixteen-year-old boy who just doesn’t understand girls, while his friend Vic seems to have them all figured out. Both teenagers are in for the shock of their young lives, however, when they crash a local party only to discover that the girls there are far, far more than they appear!

From the Locus Award-winning short story by Neil Gaiman—one of the most celebrated authors of our time—and adapted in vibrant ink-and-watercolor illustrations by the Daytripper duo of Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon, this original hardcover graphic novel is absolutely not to be missed! [Description provided by the publisher.]

My Review: First off, this story is odd and out there. But what else would you expect from Neil Gaiman? He is the king of "odd and out there." Weird is his version of normal. He knows how to take something that would be perfect normal, and shape it so that while you feel the strangeness, it doesn't really hit you until you're in the middle that something is wrong, or different. At first, I just assumed our narrator was so awkward that he wasn't really understanding what the girl was saying. But nope.

And second, you know what my favorite part about this was? The ending. It's left so completely open, that you're just sitting there, staring at the last page, waiting for it to give you some clue as to what the heck it all means. Gaiman does that to you. You sit there, wondering if you just missed something important. Like he has the secrets to the universe, and you just missed your chance to comprehend it.

And the art - the art is just as weird and angular as the story itself. Clearly, Gaiman and the illustrators - Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon - are a fantastic team.

Cover Lovin': Well done. The art is properly represented, and it only barely hints at the weirdness within.

Recommendation: You have to like open endings, and you have to like weird.

Final Rating: THREE AND A HALF out of FIVE stars! (3.5/5). An interesting, entertaining, fast read.

Make sure to pre-order your copy of How To Talk To Girls At Parties today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: LIMBO by Dan Watters, Caspar Wijngaard

Release Date: June 7th, 2016

Type: Image Comics, Graphic Novel, Stand Alone, Single Volume, Science Fiction, Mythology, Technovoodoo

About the Book: A detective with no memory, no identity, and no manners. A femme fatale seeking escape from a powerful crime lord. A voodoo queen with a penchant for mixtapes and hi-tops. A goat-eating TV... A surreal neon-noir fusing hardboiled pulp with an 80s VHS visual aesthetic, dripping with neon and static. Collecting issues 1 through 6. Writer Dan Watters and artist Caspar Wijngaard are an up-and-coming creative team living and working in the UK. They are currently making their Image Comics debut with the surreal Neon Noir Limbo. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I'm so glad I took the time between finishing this and trying to review it. I think I needed to let it settle in my brain, to truly wrap my head around everything that happened. But one thought that for sure stuck with me - I still want more. I know this is it, or at least there doesn't seem to be any future issues in the works, but.. I'm not ready for it to end.

Limbo isn't really like anything else I've read. It's very much in the style of my favorite off-the-wall, quirky, beyond belief Image Comics titles. Honestly, if Image Comics publishes it, I will most likely love it. I haven't been let down yet. The techno weirdness reminds me of Saga, if it were set in the not-so-distant past. And the colors have moments that remind me of Five Ghosts. But despite the occasional similarities, Limbo feels wholly original and different.

I liked Clay. I really liked how magic was weaved into technology. A technoshaman? Awesome. A strange tentacled creature with a VHS port? Yes, please. A girl who practices voodoo by playing and dancing to mix tapes? Sign me up. Really, the only thing that kept me from falling 100% in love with this was that the wrap up felt too rushed. This could have benefited from adding one or two more issues, to really make it a cohesive whole. But with the time and space they had, I think the creators did a fantastic job creating a truly unique story.

Cover Lovin': It was enough to make me pick it up out of a line up of comics!

Recommendation: You need to like the odd, unlike-anything type of graphic novels.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5) stars! Unique, original, and just plain strange. Loved it!

Make sure to get your copy of Limbo my Dan Watters and Caspar Wijngaard today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Weekly Reading Update 5/27 - 6/02/16!

Another week, another update! As always, click the title for more information.

You see my reviews on the blog, but my weekly updates are all about the weird, random, and reviewed-for-other-places reading that I do throughout the week. If you want to see what I read as I read it, as well as my ratings and quickie reviews, be sure to follow me on Goodreads.

Once again, I went graphic novel crazy, so I’ll just list them all quick and move on to the meatier books. It was a mostly Image comics weekend, with a Marvel and DC mixed in for something different. I started with Gotham Academy 2: Calamity by Becky Cloonan, then moved to Miles Morales, Ultimate Spider-man 2: Revelations by Brian Michael Bendis. I then breezed by way through Thief of Thieves 1: “I Quit” by Robert Kirkman, Five Ghosts 2: Lost Coastlines and Five Ghosts 3: Monsters and Men by Frank J. Barbiere. I finished up the comics binge with Morning Glories, Volume 9 by Nick Spencer. Obviously, I had a very busy Friday.

I then moved on to Sticky Fingers by Niki Burnham. I read the Royally Jacked series by her a few months ago, so Goodreads suggested this title to me, and I took the bait. It was an interesting read, a little preachy.. But I think the author dealt with this tough situation really well. It’s not one for the keeper shelf, but I thought it was an entertaining read. Honestly, I would probably look into reading more books by this author.

Next up were a few books for Romance Reviews Today. Rocked by Love by Christine Warren is the fourth book in the Gargoyles series, and it was super fun to read. I really liked the two main characters. I hope the author writes the next book soon so I can get my hands on it! After that I read Wicked Heart by Leisa Rayven - and oh wow. I loved this. I didn’t enjoy Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet as much as the rest of the world (or at least it feels like the rest of the world disagrees with me) - but Wicked Heart more than made up for it!

I’ve been working my way through all of the Tor.com novellas that my library owns, so my next book choice was Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. Guys, seriously.. If you like futuristic science fiction, you need to read this. It was so good! And thankfully, it’s the beginning of a series, so there will be more in the future - I just don’t think I can wait that long. This is probably my second favorite of the ones I’ve read, my first favorite being The Forest of Memory by Mary Robinette Kowal.

Last, but of course not least, I read The Dark Vampire by Kate Baxter, for Romance Reviews Today. I’m super grateful that they keep sending me the next book in the series to read whenever it releases, because this is a fun paranormal romance series.

Happy Reading!

!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Weekly Reading Update 5/13 - 5/19/16

 ( As always, click the link to get more information about each book! )

This was a big graphic novel week for me - mostly because I got back from vacation and had so many holds ready for me to pick up from the library! So I read all the graphic novels first thing, so that I could read them and return them quickly. I went through Guardians Team-Up Volume 1: Guardians Assemble and Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Volume 1: Emperor Quill. Both were fun reads, but I'm partial to the "Emperor Quill" book - it has Kitty Pryde in it! I'm a huge Shadowcat fan.

I then moved on to two non-superhero graphic novels. Giant Days: Volume 2 by John Allison, which I absolutely loved. This series is awesome - three girls becoming friends in their first year of college. It's well written, and the illustrations are great! I highly recommend it! Next was Patience by Daniel Clowes - this one was a little trippy. It was definitely an interesting read, but I can't see myself wanting to read it again in the future.

Working in a library, I see a lot of interesting titles go by. And sometimes, they're just so ridiculous that I can't pass up the chance to read them - like the next book, The Detective's 8 lb 10 oz Surprise by Meg Maxwell. It's a Harlequin title, and while I admit to totally binging on them every so often, I usually stick to the Presents line. This book was part of the Special Edition line, which has never been one of my favorites - but this was a pleasant surprise. It was pretty cute! And I even want to read the next book when it releases.

I actually had Wednesday off this week, so I decided to re-read an all-time favorite - Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell! Sometimes you just need a comfort read. I originally read this when I borrowed it from the library. And the second I finished it, I went to Amazon and bought a copy. Last year, Rainbow Rowell was at a local book convention - and alas, I had to work that day. But my friend was able to go, and took my copy of Fangirl! So I have it signed, with a note from Rainbow saying "I'm sorry I missed you!" It makes me smile every time I see it.

I finished the week off with some more comics. Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man 1: Revival by Brian Michael Bendis. Followed that up with Descender, volume 2: Machine Moon by Jeff Lemire - this series is absolutely amazing. But then, it's Jeff Lemire, and he knows what he's doing! Next up was Groot by Jeff Loveness - and yes, that is Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy! Second to last was Jessica Jones: Alias Volume 1 by Brian Michael Bendis. And last, but not least, was Rat Queens, Volume 3: Demons by Kurtis J. Wiebe. Rat Queens is an all-time favorite series. It's a bit like Dungeons and Dragons... but with a lot of four letter words.

It was a very graphic novel week for me, clearly! I read a few actual books as well, I promise - you'll see proof of that next week when my reviews post!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Weekly Reading Update! 3/25-3/31/16

This was another week for graphic novels - mostly because I've been so busy that I didn't have much time for anything else.

I finally caught up on Red Hood and the Outlaws, reading both volumes 6 and 7. I was not happy with the ending of 7! Don't do that to me - I love this team, and I refuse to see them turn against each other. I'm not sure if this is the end for the series or not, but I really hope not.. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I also caught up on Aquaman and the Others, reading volume 2. This one was just okay, I prefer Aquaman's single title. It seems this volume comes after some big DC event that I didn't read, so it was more than a little confusing.

Finally, I read Aftershock by Jill Sorenson. Oh wow, was this amazing. I was on edge the entire time, and couldn't put it down - which was rough, considering I am currently dealing with vertigo and reading is not always easy/pleasurable. But this book definitely made it worth it. Check it out if you like Romantic Suspense. I can't wait for the next book to come in at the library!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Weekly Reading Update: 3/18 - 3/24/16!

Here we go again - another weekly reading update!

This week, I read a fascinating graphic novel called “Bernie” by Ted Rall. The beginning of the book discusses a brief history of the Democratic party in the 20th and 21st centuries, and then goes on to talk about Bernie Sanders’ policies and how they differ from the modern Leftist beliefs. Along with Bernie’s personal history, it talks about his efforts throughout his life to better his community and the world around him. Great read!

I also read “Gotham Academy Volume 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy” by Becky Cloonan. The only reason I picked this up was because I read an article talking about an upcoming Gotham Academy and Lumberjanes cross over. But now that I’ve read this, I plan to continue with the series. It was a fun read, though I can see it appealing more to those that like DC and Batman, rather than the typical Lumberjanes crowd.

I also read “Love Struck” by Laurelin McGee, to review for Romance Reviews Today. It definitely has a modern day You’ve Got Mail feel to it, since they met on an anonymous forum and know each other only by their usernames - or do they?! This is a cute one. It’s book two in a series, but I hadn’t read book one and still got along fine. Though it makes me want to read the first book, “Miss Match.”

My next goal is to continue to tackle the nonfiction book “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It… Every Time” by Maria Konnikova. Anyone that follows my Goodreads page will know my obsession with thieves and con-men - it even has its own shelf! This book talks about just why we fall for cons, and it’s pretty fascinating thus far. But I’ll admit, I’m a slow reader when it comes to nonfiction - it just takes me longer to process actual facts rather than fiction. But it doesn’t mean I enjoy it any less.

Happy Reading
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Faith" issues 1 & 2 by Jody Houser

So I have been hearing so much about Valiant's character Faith. I read a few Valiant titles and really liked them, so I have been eagerly awaiting Faith to come out in graphic novel form. Well, Netgalley put up the first couple issues as a partial galley, so of course I jumped at the chance to get a sneak peek!

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Type: Comics, Graphic Novel, Series, Book 1, Partial Galley, Issues, Nerdtastic

About the Book: VALIANT'S MOST DEMANDED HERO STEPS OUT OF HARBINGER... AND INTO AN ALL-NEW ADVENTURE! Orphaned at a young age, Faith Herbert - a psionically gifted "psiot" discovered by the Harbinger Foundation - has always aspired to greatness. But now this once ordinary teenager is taking control of her destiny and becoming the hard-hitting hero she's always known she can be - complete with a mild-mannered secret identity, unsuspecting colleagues, and a day job as a reporter that routinely throws into her harms way! Well, at least she thought it would... When she's not typing up listicles about cat videos, Faith makes a secret transformation to patrol the night as the City of Angels' own leading superhero - the sky-soaring Zephyr! But flying solo is going to be tougher than she ever thought when Zephyr uncovers a deep-rooted alien conspiracy. Two-bit burglars and car thieves are one thing, but when the world needs a hero to stave off an full-blown extraterrestrial invasion, will Faith find herself in over her head... or ready for her biggest challenge yet? [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: I've never judged a comic book on just two issues before, but I can already tell I'm going to enjoy the full volume when it releases. Faith is a fascinating character, and I love her narration. The authors did a great job of making her human alter ego someone I can relate to. Actually, I can relate to her super hero self too - at least the nerdy references. I'm sure there were a few I didn't catch, but usually at least once per page there was some sort of sci-fi or nerd reference. So, being a huge nerd, I was in love.

Faith has apparently featured in another graphic novel series before this, of which I was unaware. She keeps mentioning her former team, so I guess I will have to check that out. It might get confusing for some, I was a little unsure a time or two myself, so forewarned is forearmed!

Cover Lovin': I'm just assuming the cover they have for the partial galley will also be the final cover - and if so, I'm all for it. It would definitely make me grab it off the shelf!

Recommendation: Apparently Faith appeared in another comic series, which I was unaware of, so some of the mentions of the backstory flew right over my head - be forewarned this might happen to you.

Final Rating: It's tough to rate this, since it's only two issues and not a full volume. But judging by these two books - I'm loving this. FOUR out of FIVE stars!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.

Weekly Reading Update 2/20-2/26/16!

Another Weekly Reading Update! My week started off slow since I had to work all weekend and extra long days during the week, but I still managed to sneak in some reading time.

As we’re still in the midst of the Teen Reading Challenge, I started my weekend with some graphic novels..

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, volume 1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North. This was super cute, but I wasn’t wowed like I have been with some other Marvel titles. I’m definitely planning to continue with the second volume, though.

I also read The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks. Goodreads has been recommending this graphic novel to me for years, and I always ignored it. Until I found this list of the best graphic novels written by women - and Superhero Girl was on it. So I broke down and requested it from the library, and now I’m mad at myself for waiting so long! It was great. Definitely check this one out. Girl power!

Another book I had been putting off even though I heard some great things - Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker. This is on a list of “Essential New Adult Books” that I found in a book review magazine. I copied down the list of titles, and I’m working my way through them, even though I had already read pretty many on the list. Ten Tiny Breaths was so good. Emotional, gritty… and definitely messed up. But so, so good. I’ve already requested book 2!

I also went on a bit of a Princeless binge.. as in, I read Princeless: The Short Stories, Princeless volume 4, and Princeless: Raven The Pirate Princess. If you like girl power graphic novels, this is definitely a series to pick up. In fact, Raven's book was like Rat Queens, but safer for a younger audience. They're so cute, well written, and everything I could have hoped for when I wanted a good new series to read.

I think that's more than enough for this week.. but don't worry, I have plenty more manga volumes requested from the library, so I will be a reading fool soon enough!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: The Wicked + The Divine volume 3: Commercial Suicide by Kieron Gillen

Release Date: February 9th, 2016

Type: Graphic novel, Comic books, Image comics, Series, Mythology, Gods and Goddesses everywhere

About the Book: After the detonation of FANDEMONIUM the gods-as-pop-stars of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE try living in the long dark shadow. Team WicDiv are joined by a stellar cast of guest artists to put the spotlight of each of the gods. The multiple Eisner-award nominated series continues in the only way it knows how: darker, weirder, faster. Don't worry. It's going to be okay. [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: This series is so addicting, and there's just so many layers to it. I just wish I was able to re-read the previous two volumes before reading this one, so that I can be on top of all the subtleties. I guess I will have to buy them all to refresh myself each time the new one releases.

The plot thickens in this volume, and the gods and goddesses are turning on each other. You can definitely see this volume pushing that story forward, and just who is on the right and wrong side. Or, what we think is the right and wrong side. What I love about this series is that it's so hard to trust anyone because most of them have their own endgame.

It's hard to mention specifics in my review because anything could give away the plots of previous volumes, as well as this one. But trust me, if you like your graphic novels weird and deep, you'll love this series!

Cover Lovin': Fits the rest of the series, so thumbs up there.

Recommendation: You most definitely need to start at the beginning. And it helps to read up the previous volumes to refresh your memory before tackling the new one.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Great, deep, magic, weird.. and definitely confusing.

Be sure to get your copy of The Wicked + The Divine today! You won't want to miss this, for sure.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Weekly Reading Update! 1/16-1/22/16!

It's time again for my Weekly Reading Update, a new feature on this blog for 2016. I missed last week, but it worked out okay since I read NOTHING last week - I was too sick to function. But now I'm (mostly) all better and back at the reading game.

This week I read and reviewed "Fighting Dirty" by Lori Foster so be sure to check out that review if you haven't already (find it HERE). Another great one by Lori, and I can't wait to see how her next series goes!

But this weekly update is for books that I have read and did not review on the blog - such as books I just read for fun or books that I received to review for Romance Reviews Today, and I am unable to cross-post.

And as always, feel free to follow me on Goodreads (link on the sidebar) to see all my status updates!

First up: MISCONDUCT by Penelope Douglas. I think what I loved most about this was the dialogue between the two. They had a playfulness that seemed so genuine and even had me smiling a few times. So thank goodness I didn't read it in public. Same goes for the sexy scenes - definitely hot. This isn't one of those "read it in the break room at work" type of books! Make sure you check it out if you like your books steamy! Click the cover to to Amazon.com and buy it today!

Last but definitely not least, I read DESCENDER, VOLUME 1: TIN STARS by Jeff Lemire. This one blew me away. Everything I have read by Jeff Lemire so far has been fantastic, but this one definitely so. If you remember the movie AI from forever ago - this has a similar feel. But it's so good. I can't wait for volume 2! Click the cover to find it at Amazon.

Well, that's it for me this week, so far! Hopefully next week I will be back in the full swing of things, with plenty of reviews and updates to keep your reading lists overflowing!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: Adulthood is a Myth: A "Sarah Scribbles" Collection by Sarah Andersen

Release Date: March 8th, 2016

Type: Comic Strips, Humor, Graphic Novel, Millennial Problems, This is my life!

About the Book: Are you a special snowflake? Do you love networking to advance your career? Have you never wasted a fresh new day surfing the internet? Ugh. This book is not for you. Please go away.

Sarah's Scribbles — casually drawn, perfectly on-point comics by young Brooklyn-based artist Sarah Andersen — confront head-on the horrors, anxiety, and awkwardness of modern adult life. From the agony of holding hands with a gorgeous guy to the yawning pit of hell that is the wifi gone down to the eye-watering pain of eating too-hot pizza because one cannot stand to wait for it to cool down, Sarah fearlessly documents it all.

Like the work of fellow Millennial authors Allie Brosh, Grace Helbig, and Gemma Correll, Sarah's total frankness on extremely personal issues such as body image, self-consciousness, introversion, relationships, and bra-washing makes her comics highly relatable and consistently hilarious. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I'm really mad at myself when it comes to this book. Why, you ask? Because I read it too fast. I loved it, I was laughing out loud more than I care to admit, and because it was so fun, I just kept going. This is, for sure, a one-sitting read. And that makes it that much worse. There needs to be more! I connect with this book on an uncomfortable, awkward, personal level. I would for sure be friends with this author in real life. Assuming we could ever get up the courage to say hello to each other and exchange phone numbers.

Every single page of this hilarious and wonderfully illustrated book is something that I have either felt at some point, or needed to instantly show one of my friends because they would appreciate it. I've seen these comics around before, but if possible, they are even more funny when bound together. This book is for sure going on my wishlist, and I look forward to browsing it time and time again, whenever I need a good chuckle.

Cover Lovin': This cover is 100% perfect. You see the art style, and the minimalist color scheme makes it pop.

Recommendation: This book is for anyone that ever felt like a weirdo introvert. No prior knowledge of the comics is necessary.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5) stars. My only complaint was that this book wasn't longer. I connected with everything, I laughed out loud multiple times, and I need to purchase this as soon as it's released. A total winner!

Pre-order your copy of "Adulthood is a Myth" by Sarah Andersen today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Thanks, Netgalley!

Review: BOB'S BURGERS: MEDIUM RARE by Various

Release Date: November 3rd, 2015

Type: Comic Book, Graphic Novel, TV show tie-in, Humor, Punny Burger Names

About the Book: While Bob and Linda Belcher have their hands full running the family business, their kids Tina, Gene, and Louise have adventures that you won't believe! The producers, writers, and animators of the hit animated show Bob's Burgers proudly present all-original comic book stories, including hilarious installments of "Louise's Unsolved Mysteries & Curious Curiosities," "Tina's Erotic Friend Fiction," and "Gene's Rhymey Rhymes That Could One Day Be Songs." Whether it's Tina's daydreams of cloning back-up dancers or jungle misadventures, Louise's explorations of underground tunnels and time-stopping Wonder Wharf rides, Gene's lyrics that reimagine boring Aunt Gayle visits as epic journeys to fantasy worlds, the Belcher family hijinx are guaranteed to make you laugh! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: So I am a huge Bob's Burgers fan. It's one of my go-to shows if I need to laugh, or just for background noise while I'm working on something. And let me tell you, this graphic novel does not disappoint. You can practically hear the characters' voices as they tell their stories. I could even see them doing these skits in a few of the episodes, if they could find a way to work it all in.

My main issues with this comic, and why it didn't get a gushy perfect rating, were mostly technical details. In Gene's sections (the "Gene's Rhymey Rhymes That Could One Day Be Songs"), the print was so small I had to squint to read it all. And anything involving Linda and Bob was maybe given one page, while Tina, Gene, and Louise's stories went on for multiple pages - sometimes several panels too long.

That said, I still greatly enjoyed this. It's a fast read, and a super fun one. I will definitely be on the lookout for more Bob's Burgers comics in the future!

Cover Lovin': I do like this cover, but I almost wish they had gone with one of the variant covers because there were some seriously hilarious ones.

Recommendation: Some familiarity with the show is recommended before picking up this graphic novel.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)! Fun just like the show, but some of the little skits were a bit too long.

Get your copy of "Bob's Burgers: Medium Rare" today from Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

A funny for your Friday: "Step Aside, Pops" by Kate Beaton

I read this book some time ago called "Hark! A Vagrant" by Kate Beaton. I probably wouldn't have picked it up, or even known about it, had my library not purchased a copy. But I quickly became obsessed. And then recently I saw there is a second one by that author releasing - "Step Aside, Pops."

Of course I had to request it. And now.. I have a new favorite page..

There's some silly humor in "Step Aside, Pops" and "Hark! A Vagrant." But the humor runs more to the literary and historical set. Very fun to read, especially if you're a book nerd like myself. 

Get your copy today!

Happy Reading! And enjoy your weekend!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: Image is from "Step Aside, Pops" by Kate Beaton - author/illustrator retains all rights to the image.

Review: "SAVED BY THE BELL, volume 1" by Joelle Sellner, Chynna Clugston Flores, & Tim Fish

Release Date: July 1st, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Series, Book 1, nostalgia, young adult, teen, high school, robots named Kevin

About the Book: The classic TV series gets an update for today’s brand new high-schoolers as the coolest kids at Bayside High start their freshman year! 

All your favorite characters – Zack, Slater, Kelly, Lisa, Screech and Jessie (and Mr. Belding, of course!) – are starting freshman year at Bayside High, trading in brick phones and mullets for iPhones and Twitter accounts. Does Lisa’s fashion show get on the air, and will Screech ever leave her alone? Will Jessie get that A+? And, most importantly, who’s Kelly going to go out with – preppy Zack or new star athlete A.C. Slater? It’s alright, ‘cause we’re saved by the bell! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: When this popped up on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance. As any proper 90's kid, I feel nostalgia at all times - and I figured this would hit the spot. I was right! This graphic novel was a fun read to get back into the spirit of my childhood - but with a modern flair.

The creators of this graphic novel modernized it for today's audiences, which seems a little silly considering the people most likely to read this are the ones interested in regaining their youth, not dealing with today's issues and technology. And if you want something that is exactly like the show, your best bet is to just watch re-runs - while the essence of the original Saved By The Bell is still there, this is definitely a new version.

But like I said, it was fun getting to see the old crowd again, and relive (sort of?) my childhood. Not bad, not great, very middle of the road.

Cover Lovin': Not the best cover, but at least it is an accurate representation of the art inside.

Recommendation: For those going through a nostalgia phase.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Entertaining, but overall, not great.

Get your own copy of Saved By The Bell today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: DRESDEN FILES: DOWN TOWN by Jim Butcher & Mark Powers

Release Date: October 13th, 2015

Type: Series, Magic, Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Wizards, Between the Novels, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Talking Skulls and Such

About the Book: Chicago wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden and his new apprentice, Molly Carpenter, intend to end the havoc caused by a mad sorcerer - one whose ambitions would have the Windy City streets carved out as his own private kingdom. But when the magical upstart enters into an alliance with the notorious mob boss "Gentleman Johnnie" Marcone, will the fast-and-loose Dresden and his young charge survive unscathed? This graphic novel collects the critically acclaimed, six-issue series in one volume, and features a bonus section with Jim Butcher's original story outline, sketchbook artwork from Carlos Gomez, cover gallery with roughs from Stjepan Sejic, and more! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: I like these "between the novels" stories because it lets me get a taste of Dresden's world for a short time. I really enjoy this series, in fact, I consider it a modern day classic in the field of Urban Fantasy. Dresden is a fascinating character, and his friends even more so. All the wacky members of his family (be they blood related or no), add so much to the series, and make it something special - and this graphic novel is no different. In fact, I think Mouse, Molly, and the ever interesting Marcone make this graphic novel more interesting than it would have been if it was just Dresden fighting the bad guy.

There was nothing wrong with this story. I didn't find any major faults. My only comment is that it wasn't so deeply fascinating and magical that I couldn't put it down. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Maybe because this story is so short, it doesn't have the magic of the actual Dresden novels. But this was good enough to hold me over until Dresden gets his next book.

Cover Lovin': Looks good, and fits with the other Dresden Files graphic novels I have seen.

Recommendation: At least some familiarity with Dresden is recommended prior to reading this. Background information is included for those that might not be caught up, but there's a lot of little stuff that will leave the reader confused or unsure if they're not familiar with the series.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5).

Check out some of the other Dresden Files Graphic Novels!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Review: "ALEX + ADA Volume 3" by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Release Date: August 25th, 2015

Type: Series, Book 3, Graphic Novel, Comics, Comic Books, Science Fiction, Androids, Robots, Romance, Futuristic, Heartbreaking

About the Book: The last thing in the world Alex wanted was an X5, the latest in realistic androids. But after Ada is dropped into his life, he discovers she is more than just a robot. Alex takes a huge risk to unlock Ada so she can think for herself and explore life as a sentient android. As Alex and Ada spend more time together, they become closer. But as restrictions tighten on artificial intelligence, Ada feels unsure about her place in the world, and Alex questions being with an android. In this final arc, Alex and Ada struggle against the growing hatred for sentient robots and their human allies. Can they survive what's around the corner? 

Collects Alex + Ada #11-15. [Synopsis from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I probably wouldn't have picked up the first book in this series had my fellow librarian not purchased it for out system. So I gave it a chance, and I was blown away. I desperately sought out the next volume, and when the third came up on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to review it. This series feels so fresh and different.. and heartbreaking. Well, I think it ended perfectly, but I am heartbroken mostly because it is over. I think it would have been different had I read this in single issues over the course of several months. But I was lucky enough to read it all quickly - too quickly.

People of all ages can find some parallel between Alex and Ada's dilemma and that of the real world - minority rights/interracial marriage, even same sex marriage and rights. And it is horrible to think that two adults who love each other might be unable to be together. This volume sees the end of Alex and Ada's story, and considering the political environment at the time, there is no way it's going to end well. And it doesn't. Alex's life is forever changed, and unbelievably hard. I wish I could spoil it for everyone, only because I want someone to talk to about it - but I wouldn't ruin this for you for the world.

It's a great series, guys... you need to check it out for yourself!

Cover Lovin': Fits the rest of the series. Simple, but tastefully done.

Recommendation: You absolutely MUST read the series in order - which is not really a recommendation, but a requirement, trust me. For fans of science fiction/futuristic graphic novels, or those that love social issues.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars (5/5)!!! Wow, seriously. This was a series for the ages. And what a great way to end it!

Order the series now!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: THE NAMELESS CITY by Faith Erin Hicks

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Type: First Second Books, Graphic Novel, Series, Trilogy, Book One, The Named from the Nameless City sounds boss

About the Book: Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders.

Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred--a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands. [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: First off, I'm going to start by saying that I love Faith Erin Hicks. This author is awesome, and I have greatly enjoyed everything I've read by her. And with that in mind, I have to say that overall, I found this graphic novel disappointing. Despite its size - over 200 pages - it breezes by and feels almost empty. The world building is great, and I see a lot of promise in this first volume, but it's not quite there yet.

I think the main problem is that this graphic novel is the first in a series. And while there is some small climax and resolution in this particular volume, mostly it feels like everything is being built up for nothing. Instead of feeling content-but-eager-for-the-next-book, the reader is left feeling empty, or at least that's how I felt. This particular book felt more like an extended introduction than a first in a series.

All that said, I see so much potential here. I fell in love with the main characters almost instantly, and I want to see where this is going. I just wish this volume had felt more whole, instead of half what it could be.

Cover Lovin': When I originally requested to review this title, it had no cover, just the title. Now that I see the chosen cover (assuming it doesn't change), it looks pretty cool. I would definitely pick it up to look into if I saw it while browsing.

Recommendation: This is the first of a multiple part series, so I'm not sure how the entire series will play out, but I can see this graphic novel definitely appealing to teens, and maybe even upper-middle grade readers. Some violence, but not too bad.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). This rating is not bad, and the book is certainly not bad. The three star rating is because this is essentially just part of a book. There is a small climax near the end of the story, but overall, this feels unfinished and less like a first book, more like an introduction.

Pre-order your copy today! 
 

Happy reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.