Book Review: The Ghoul Next Door by Cullen Bunn, Cat Farris

The Ghoul Next Door, with text by Cullen Bunn and illustrations by Cat Farris, is a middle grade graphic novel. Eleven-year-old Grey lives in the legend-haunted New England town of Ander’s Landing, and he can’t help but feel like a pair of eyes is watching his every move. He discovers odd, gruesome bits and pieces from the graveyard that are left for him as gifts like art carved from bones or jewelry made from (hopefully not human) remains. Soon Grey is caught up in something bigger than he could ever have imagined.He finds himself drawn into a strange mystery involving a race of reclusive subterranean creatures—ghouls, the eaters of the dead! Turns out, his secret admirer is a ghoul named Lavinia. An unlikely friendship forms between them. The only problem is, their friendship breaks traditions—and the punishment is a fate worse than death.

The Ghoul Next Door is an entertaining graphic novel. The art style was nice, and I liked the lines but was not a big fan of the water color style for the coloring. The details were nicely done, and I thought the faces and highlights on hair and eyes for depth and dimension were very well done. I personally prefer a bolder, more solid style over the watercolor, but that is a matter of personal preference and not anything to do with the skill of the artwork involved, which I could still appreciate. I thought the story was well written, school and family moments were well done and I thought they felt realistic and true to character. There was a nice dose of creep, adventure, and mystery through the entire book. I liked it, and I think there are many middle grade and older readers that will really enjoy it. I had a little trouble getting invested in the story- but I think that was more because of the state of the world and some technical difficulties rather than anything lacking in the story.

Early Book Review: Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey by Stephen R. Swinburne, Guillaume Feuillet

Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey, written by Stephen R. Swinburne and with photography from Guillaume Feuillet, is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. Follow a hatchling's treacherous journey from nest to sea in an engaging first-person narrative from the sea turtle's perspective. Photographs by Guillaume Feuillet capture the drama of the hatchlings' race to safety. Back matter includes information on the life cycle of leatherback sea turtles, tips for how readers can assist with sea turtle conservation, and recommended further reading.

Run, Sea Turtle, Run: A Hatchling's Journey is a visually enchanting book. I love the photography, especially some of the pictures of sand covered turtles making their way to the water. The text was simple and accessible. The color choices for page backgrounds and text were nice and made everything pleasing to the eye and easy to read. I really liked that there was backmatter offering further information on the topic and ways families can help, and resources for further reading. My only complaint is that while I know this is a children's book and we do not need to be freaking out young or sensitive readers with turtles dying, something actually acknowledging the dangers turtles face during the trip could have been mentioned. Why would kids reading think turtles need saving if there are no dangers towards them mentioned. Yes, that there are birds and crabs on the beach is mentioned- but no mention as to why that is important. As far as readers of this book know all turtles that hatch make it to the water, which is far from the case. Perhaps this could be used as a discussion starter for adults reading this with their young readers.

Book Review: Dear Professor Whale by Megumi Iwasa

Dear Professor Whale by Megumi Iwasa is a follow up to Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, which I missed somehow. If you have missed the first like me, no worries, the connection is quickly explained. Now that Professor Whale has retired, he writes many letters to "You, Whoever You Are, Who Lives on the Other Side of the Horizon". Seal and Pelican are busy delivering the letters and Penguin is now teaching. Although he is happy his friends are doing so well, Whale wants a special friend; who might call him by a friendly sort of name. Like Whaley, maybe, instead of "Professor." The letters bring penguins, whales, and seals together in the famous Whale Point Olympics, where the winners are friendship and humor.

Dear Professor Whale is a cute illustrated story that will appeal most to emerging readers. I did find the illustrations to be a little simplistic, almost childish. It did not seem like they were intended to, as some books do. The story of a whale seeking the kind of friendships and comradery that those around him have is nice, and the idea of searching for a new nickname or persona is one that people of all ages might relate to. The continuing tales of penpals, the whale olympics, and so on were nice. They flowed well together and had some imaginative and creative moments. I liked it but it just never really grabbed me in a way that would get me excited about it, or going back to read the previous book.

Book Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson) by Darynda Jones

Sixth Grave on the Edge is part of the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

Unfortunately, another case has fallen into her lap, one with dangerous implications. Some very insistent men want Charley to hunt down a witness who is scheduled to testify against their boss, a major player in the local crime syndicate. If Charley doesn't come up with an address in 48 hours, the people closest to her will start to disappear.  Add to that a desperate man in search of the soul he lost in a card game, a dogged mother determined to find the ghost of her son, and a beautiful, young Deaf boy haunted by his new ability to see the departed as clearly as he sees the living, and Charley has her hands full. The fact that Reyes has caught on to her latest venture only adds fuel to the inferno that he is. Good thing for Charley she's used to multi-tasking and always up for a challenge, especially when that challenge comes in the form of Reyes Farrow. 

Sixth Grave on the Edge is more of what I expect from the series and the author. I like that new major players keep being introduced, and reoccurring secondary characters keep evolving and growing right along side Charley. I enjoy this series so much, but want you all to discover the twists and turns for yourself. Honestly, I have not been reading the blurbs before moving on to the next book, and am enjoying the mystery of what is happening. I think some of the blurbs give a way more than they should, some details of which are part of the mystery Charley needs to uncover with a great deal of support from her friends. If you have enjoyed the series so far, you will want to keep going. While the series is starting to lose some of its shine for me, I still greatly enjoy the read and am still continuing with my binge reading and grinning through a good portion of it. 

Book Review: Suddenly Mine (Montgomery Brothers) by Samantha Chase

Suddenly Mine is the eighth book in the Montgomery Brothers series by Samantha Chase. I have read other books by the author, but none from this particular series. The main reward for return readers is the understanding of Montgomery family dynamics and some of the characters. I was able to jump right in and enjoy the read.

Christian Montgomery is burnt out—the family business might be his entire world, but his father's judgment means Christian never stops working. His only respite is gazing at the beach and the carefree surfers riding the waves, especially the curvy redhead who's caught his attention.Sophia Bennington has just fled from her small Kansas town to California, where she's trying her best to embrace her new beginning. Soon Christian and Sophia find one another, and it feels like sanctuary. But when their difficult pasts catch up to them, will they run away from each other?

Suddenly Mine is a sweet romance that deals with some very real topics, and glosses over others. I like that Sophie and Christian each have some family issues and part problems that make their coming together more challenging. I thought Christian's work habits and relationship with his father were handled very well, and I liked the way the rest of the family supported each other was great. Sophie is sweet and sunny, but still more than able to put her foot down and stand up for herself, and does what is best for herself and others. I liked the set up. and the characters. I thought the conflicts they had were very realistic, and I thought the tension and resolution were well done. I guess the thing that bothered me is not all that important, but I did not like the ignoring all possible money issues. Sophie is struggling financial, but just kind of goes along with some pricey adventures with no real comment. She is aware of the financial differences between her and Christian, which she worries about once or twice, but only in the context of wondering if he will look down on her because of something rather than in a how will I pay for this way. That bothered me on several occasions. 

Suddenly Mine is sweet but heart wrenching in some ways. I believe fans of the author and series will greatly enjoy it, but it did not wow me. 

 

Book Review: Between a Wolf and a Hard Place (Heart of the Wolf) by Terry Spear

Between a Wolf and a Hard Place is the twenty first book in the Heart of the Wolf series by Terry Spear. Alpha werewolf Brett Silver has an ulterior motive when he donates a prized family heirloom to the Silver Town hotel. Ellie MacTire owns the place with her sisters, and he's out to get her attention. Ellie is even more special than Brett knows. She's a wolf-shifter with a unique ability to commune with the dead. Ellie has been ostracized in the past, so she protects herself and those she loves by revealing nothing-not even when strange and dangerous things begin to happen in Silver Town. And especially not to the devastatingly handsome and generous wolf who's determined to win her over.

Between a Wolf and a Hard Place picks up pretty close after the 17th book in the series, A Silver Wolf Christmas, and continues the pairing of of the Silver brothers and the MacTire sisters. Along with the romance we get some ghostly mysteries and interfering families- all to be expected when you look at the series and the players involved. I liked Ellie's character, she is strong and independant, with out making foolish decisions. Brett was a nice guy, with the possessive attitude that comes with being an alpha wolf, but seems to be good at tamping it down when that is the smarter path. However, I have to admit hat I never really connected with him- feeling more like he was the expected character, with the expected personality, rather than a person in his own right. I cannot pinpoint anything that left me flat, but something just did not work for me. The same with the danger level- the majority of Spear's romance has some serious danger in store for one or both of the major players, I never really felt that here. I just was never on the edge of my seat. 

Between a Wolf and a Hard Place is a decent read, but I think I might be done with this series ( after I read the next two with I already have on my Kindle). The story is still a good read, but not as engaging and suspenseful as the first few I have read. With the amount of books I still want to read, this just might be one of the series I need to put aside.

Book Review: Shattered Warrior by Sharon Shinn, Molly Knox Ostertag

Shattered Warrior is a graphic novel written by Sharon Shinn and illustrated by Molly Knox Ostertag.  It is ten years after Colleen Cavanaugh's home world was invaded by the Derichets, a tyrannical alien race bent on exploiting the planet's mineral resources.  Most of her family died in the war, and she now lives alone in the city. Aside from her acquaintances at the factory where she toils for the Derichets, Colleen makes a single friend in Jann, a member of the violent group of rebels known as the Chromatti. One day Colleen receives shocking news: her niece Lucy is alive and in need of her help. Together, Colleen, Jann, and Lucy create their own tenuous family. But Colleen must decide if it's worth risking all of their survival to join a growing underground revolution against the Derichets. 

Shattered Warrior is a graphic novel that begins as a story about survival and struggles in a world as a second class citizen. I liked Colleen's resilience and strength- and while she is not afraid of taking risks for what she deems the greater good she is not overly reckless. I liked the character development and the extended cast of supporting characters. I think the us verses them was a little too easy- even though there were good and bad people among every group in the book, the Colleen and the resistance too easily dubbed the Derichets as worthy of death. While that might have been for effect- the current political climate makes me a little too sensitive to this kind of attitude. Although, it could very well have been part of the author's intention to open people's eyes to the dangers of this kind of attitude I have found those with that mindset see nothing wrong with that idea and would take this as further validation. 

Shattered Warrior is a thought provoking graphic novel, but I think there are issues that could have been further or better explored. The artwork, characters, and conflicts are well done and interesting. It was a good graphic novel, I just thought that it could have been even better and was hoping for more.

Book Review: Courting the Countess by Jenny Frame

Courting the Countess by Jenny Frame is a contemporary romance. Professor of Archeology Henrietta “Harry” Knight becomes Countess of Axedale upon her father’s death and takes a sabbatical from Cambridge University to begin refurbishing the long-neglected and run-down Axedale Hall. The child of a loveless marriage, witness to her father’s infidelities and her mother’s pain, Harry has no intention of ever falling in love. Annie Brannigan is a survivor, remaining positive through hardships. As an agency housekeeper, she moves from post to post with her daughter Riley, taking care of people who have everything she will never have. Annie’s greatest wish is to find her happy ever after. Can love restore the countess’s heart and the crumbling Axedale Hall, or will the first foundations of love turn to dust?

Courting the Countess is a realistic, contemporary romance novel. I will admit that it took me a bit to get into the story, and to decide that it was contemporary. The use of Countess and the responsibilities of such a role in modern times was unusual for me. I liked the character building and thought Harry was a well defined, fairly realistic character. I really loved Anne's character- and the tension between the two. I did enjoy the relationship that grew between Harry and Anne's daughter, and felt like that was one of the things that helped Harry the most, and was just solid story writing. I think there was a lot more build up than there was actual movement in the relationship between Harry and Anne, and I know that most of it was necessary to impart the growth that Harry had to make and to reveal the unhappy past for Anne, but there were moments where I just wanted to hit fast forward and get to a confrontation, realization, or conversation that would significantly move things along. It did happen, it just took longer than I wanted. Some of this was my own impatience rather than somethi9ng wrong with the book- it just was not the kind of read I was looking for at the moment. It all came together well, but it was just a little slower paced than I was looking for. However, I can think of many readers that would absolutely love the story and writing style.

Courting the Countess is a solid story, with well defined characters and an interesting premise. My main complaint is that there was more of the characters worrying to them selves and other people talking about them than there was actual conflict or action between them. However, the characters were portrayed realistically, which can atone for many faults.