Review: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author), Chris Riddell (Illustrator)

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: October 23rd 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Point of View: 3rd Person
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Short Story, Fantasy, FairyTales

BLURB:

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.

On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future – and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems. Twisting together the familiar and the new, this perfectly delicious, captivating and darkly funny tale shows its creators at the peak of their talents.

Lavishly produced, packed with glorious Chris Riddell illustrations enhanced with metallic ink, this is a spectacular and magical gift.

Review: Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick by Matt Fraction (Writer), Chip Zdarsky (Artist)

Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick by Matt Fraction

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: April 29th 2014
Publisher: Image Comics
Point of View: /
Recommended Age: 16+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Graphic Novels, Superpowers, Crime

BLURB:

Suzie’s just a regular gal with an irregular gift: when she has sex, she stops time. One day she meets Jon and it turns out he has the same ability. And sooner or later they get around to using their gifts to do what we’d ALL do: rob a couple banks. A bawdy and brazen sex comedy for comics begins here!

By Matt Fraction (Satellite Sam, Hawkeye) and Chip Zdarsky (Prison Funnies, Monster Cops).

Named one of Time Magazine’s top 10 graphic novels for 2013.

Collects SEX CRIMINALS #1-5

Review: Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Artist)

Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: October 23rd 2012
Publisher: Image Comics
Point of View: /
Recommended Age: 16+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Comic, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, War

BLURB:

From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old world. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

Collects Saga issues #1-6.

Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: May 12th 2015
Publisher: Harper Collins
Point of View: Masculine
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy. Graphic Novels, Adventure, LGBT

BLURB:

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it “a deadpan epic.”

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona’s powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Review: More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Bought
Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Publisher: Soho Press
Point of View: 1st Person & Masculine
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Death, Family, Love, Friendship, Happiness

BLURB:

In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut—called “mandatory reading” by the New York Times—Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.

In the months after his father’s suicide, it’s been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again–but he’s still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he’s slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron’s crew notices, and they’re not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can’t deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.

Why does happiness have to be so hard?

Captive Prince GIVEAWAY (INTL)

Hey, guys!

In order to celebrate the publication date revelation of book three in the CAPTIVE PRINCE series, I decided to host a giveaway of the first two incredible books in the series. (Book three will be published on February 2nd, 2016.)

CAPTIVE PRINCE, if you do not know, is my favorite M/M romance series.

To enter:

1) Follow my blog via Bloglovin’, WordPress or E-mail

2) Be 16 years old or older

3) Book Depository must ship to you

and 4) Post a comment bellow answering one of the following questions: What do you know about Captive Prince? Are you a huge M/M romance reader? Have you heard of this book before? I say princes in love, you say…?

GOOD LUCK! Giveaway ends on July 31st.

Review: Down from the Mountain by Elizabeth Fixmer

Down from the Mountain by Elizabeth Fixmer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: NetGalley
Publication Date: March 1st 2015
Publisher: Albert Whitman Teen
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 13+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary, Religion

BLURB:

Eva just wants to be a good disciple of the Righteous Path. She grew up knowing that she and her mother are among the chosen few to be saved from Armageddon. Lately, though, being saved feels awfully treacherous. Ever since they moved to the compound in Colorado, their food supplies have dwindled even while their leader, Ezekial, has stockpiled weapons. The only money comes from the jewelry Eva makes and sells down in Boulder–a purpose she’ll serve until she becomes one of Ezekial’s wives.

But a college student named Trevor and the other “heathens” she meets on her trips beyond the compound are different from what she’s been led to believe. Now Eva doesn’t know which is more dangerous–the outside world or Brother Ezekial’s plans.

Review: Husky by Justin Sayre

Husky by Justin Sayre

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: September 22nd 2015
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Point of View: 1st Person & Masculine
Recommended Age: All ages
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Family, Friendship, LGBT

BLURB:

A unique and original voice, Husky is an expertly narrated story of change, told by a boy whose emotions are as big as the operas he adores and whose capacity for love and friendship is as warm and delicious as freshly baked bread.

Davis lives with his mother and grandmother in a brownstone in Brooklyn. He’s a regular kid who loves watching people at the park, visiting his mom in the bakery she owns, listening to the biggest operas he can find, and spending time with his friends. The only problem is he’s going into high school, where everyone gets one adjective that defines them—and his adjective is “husky,” which we all know is a polite way of saying “fat.” To make matters worse, this summer everything seems to be changing in Davis’s life and it’s not only his clothes that don’t seem to fit anymore. His best girlfriends are starting to hang out with the wretched new girl, Chloe who is too cool for anything and seems to be pulling his friends away from him. His mom has started dating Paolo, who works at the bakery and whose efforts at friendship Davis finds simply annoying. Though Davis usually copes with his problems by listening to his favorite operas, not even the biggest arias seem to drown out the sadness, anger, and frustration he’s facing in his own life. The near operatic drama of “ohhhhhs” and “ahhhhhs” reaches a gut-wrenching climax and Davis is forced to learn some of life’s most important lessons from his grandmother and the world around him about love, acceptance, and change.

French Giveaway (Concours!)

Hi, there!

Today, I decided to host a giveaway of a couple of French books to my followers reading French books also or to those who are interested in reading them regardless. Are you a Canadian resident and do you read French? If yes, then post a meaningful comment below and be a follower (via WordPress, Bloglovin’ or email) to enter the giveaway consisting of 7 books!

Salut!

Aujourd’hui, j’ai décidé de créer un petit concours afin d’offrir quelques livres en français à mes lecteurs qui en lisent ou veulent en lire. Es-tu un résident canadien et lis-tu le français? Si oui, alors publie un commentaire pertinent en dessous et soit inscrit à mon blog (via WordPress, Bloglovin’ ou par courriel) afin de courir la chance de gagner 7 livres!

À gagner:

Review: Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick

Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: May 5th 2015
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary, Death, Love, Family

BLURB:

A powerful story of loss, second chances, and first love, reminiscent of Sarah Dessen and John Green.

When Oakley Nelson loses her older brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she’ll never recover. Between her parents’ arguing and the battle she’s fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend a few months in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn’t sure a change of scenery will alter anything, but she’s willing to give it a try.

In California, Oakley discovers a sort of safety and freedom in Aunt Jo’s beach house. Once they’re settled, Mom hands her a notebook full of letters addressed to her—from Lucas. As Oakley reads one each day, she realizes how much he loved her, and each letter challenges her to be better and to continue to enjoy her life. He wants her to move on.

If only it were that easy.

But then a surfer named Carson comes into her life, and Oakley is blindsided. He makes her feel again. As she lets him in, she is surprised by how much she cares for him, and that’s when things get complicated. How can she fall in love and be happy when Lucas never got the chance to do those very same things?

With her brother’s dying words as guidance, Oakley knows she must learn to listen and trust again. But will she have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future?