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Book of a Thousand Days Review
Well then, I think I finished the Shannon Hale fairytale catalogue and like Gail Carson Levine, she should be applauded for her creative twists on classic tales while paying homage to the darker elements of the originals and bringing her vivid descriptions of nature blending in with magic.
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What was the first horror book you read?
Mine was Salem’s Lot which was a gift from a friend for my 13th birthday. Apparently, she thought my interest in celebrity ghost stories and reincarnated ghost children extended to horror in general which is not really true. Psuedo-documentaries of real life hauntings I can handle, horror movies and books not so much.
But I did read this because hello, Stephen King and the book wasn’t as bad as I was expecting (and by bad I mean causing me nightmares, not the literary merit). It takes a typical horror plot with a standard horror lead (According to Hendrix’s awesome deep dive into horror pulp Paperbacks from Hell which I recommended last year): Ben Mears has returned to his childhood town of Jerusalem Lot, ME to write about the haunted Marsten House that traumatized him as a child. But there’s more than just the creepy Marsten House that has Mears spooked this time. Locals are disappearing and seemingly returning in the dead of the night to bring more into their nest of vampires.
Yep, it’s vampire attack season y’all, and Mears turns into the ripped spontaneous action hero he was born to be, giving up his old job to take on the more exciting, never ending battle with the undead for this tiny town.
Another thing I must confesss was that I was completely surprised by the vampires. Maybe I was in denial, maybe I just thought King didn’t do vampires, but I completely missed all the clues up to the big reveal. It’s funny now but I remember I was disappointed at the reveal because vampires had been a big trend in the early 2000s-10s so this felt like a cliche. Of course, Kinbg wrote this in the 70s so I’m sure it was more intriguing then but I guess trends are cylical like that.
So yeah, that’s the story of the first and to this date, only horror book I’ve read. Comment below about yours!
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Sept Books
Fatima Tate Takes the Cake by Khadijah VanBrakle
Fatima Tate is a good Muslim daughter although her desire to become a professional pastry chef and opening a bakery is not on her parent’s agenda for their daughter’s good future.
But that’s just the start of Fatima chafing against the rules. She’s going to be going to college next year, she wants to make her own decisions.
So that’s part of the reason why she accepts Raheem’s invitation to drive her home after their work in the soup kitchen. She’s been daydreaming that he’s a Muslim Prince Charming and he truly seems to fit the bill. He’s kind, he’s considerate of her feelings and boundaries, encourgaing of her dreams of baking, he charms the pants off every adult he talks to.
It was only one clandestine meeting but the spark is undeniable and before Fatima knows it, she and Raheem are engaged! It’s a dream come true but as Fatima gains the courage to secretly compete in a cooking competition, Raheem’s sweetness turns into jealousy and possessiveness and Fatima’s desire to appease leads to a little situation that allows him to blackmail her or fear familial disgrace.
(more…)#adialsaid, #akemidawnbowman, #allyouhavetodo, #anathologies, #anikafarjardo, #anthem, #areyoutheregod?itsmemargaret, #autumnallen, #blackrosewriting, #bloomsbury, #boundless, #candlewickpress, #chriscolfer, #claireforrest, #comingofage, #davidbowles, #dcink, #deborahwiles, #dragonkiss, #e.d.baker, #emikojean, #ericsmith, #erinentradakelly, #fantasy, #fatimatatetakesthecake, #feiwel&friends, #gabrielpicolo, #goldymoldavsky, #graphicnovel, #guadalupegarciamccall, #harpercollins, #historicalfiction, #holidaybooks, #i’dratherburnthanbloom, #I.W.gregorio, #inkyardpress, #ismeewilliams, #jasminewarga, #judyblume, #kamigarcia, #karenyin, #khadijahvanbrakle, #kindofabigdeal, #kokila, #lorielryon, #lowergrade, #macmillian, #magicalrealism, #magichasnoborders, #melinamangal, #middlegrade, #nafizaazad, #nasgraqraineyhopson, #nazkutub, #nikitagill, #oliviachadha, #parallellines, #preetichhibber, #rachelreads&reviews, #randyribay, #rebeccabalcarcel, #robin, #ruthmarkseglash, #sabaatahir, #samiraahmed, #sangumandanna, #sayantanidasgupta, #scholastic, #secretofthemoonconch, #shannonc.f.rogers, #shannongibney, #shannonhale, #shreyailaanasuya, #sixtiestrilogy, #sonacharaipotra, #squarefish, #struckbylightning, #swatiteerdhala, #tahirabrar, #talesofthefrogprincess, #tanzaniabhathena, #tarasim, #teentitans, #thedragonprincess, #torreymaldonado, #traceybaptiste, #veerahiranandani, #whereyouseeyourself, #YA, #yearling -
The One Review
35 girls enter, four are left, and only one can wear the crown.
Of course, we already know who that one is but the journey America takes as she inadvertedly starts a revolution prompts . . . conflicting feelings.
Since King Clarkson threatened America in the previous book, she’s been on her best behavior and fully committed to Prince Maxon after her annoying indecisiveness.
But King Clarkson is trying his best to slip her up, throwing challenges that will test her moral compass and surpress the growing rebel movements that grow stronger every day.
It is with these two intense plot-threads that lead to two conclusion: America and Maxon make a cute couple, but America would make an awful queen.
Cass can write an intriguing, pull-you-in romance, but she is not so good at world building or revolutions.
Spoilers below
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Ranking W.i.t.c.h. arcs (again)
I know I said I’d redo this once I read all the arcs but since arc 10 and arc 11 aren’t going to be published until next year, I decided just to add my thoughts on Arc 9 now before I forget it too much. Unfortunately, it ranks the very last as I’ll explain below.
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Ranking The Sisters Grimm
I think most people know this series as it’s one of the more popular fractured fairytale series, and deservedly so, with Buckley’s sincere pathos, humor and adventurous escapades.
But for those not in the know. Sabrina, and Daphne’s lives have turned for the worst in the past year, bouncing from awful foster situation to Dickinsinian orphanage after the mysterious disappearence of their parents. Finally, they are claimed by a grandmother that they thought to be dead. Clearly, she’s a psycho as she not only says she’s their grandmother but that almost everyone in the small town of Ferryport Landing is a fairytale character. Oh, and the girls are descendants of Jacob Grimm, and will join the family’s long history of fairytale detective work.
She’s nuts but Sabrina is forced to admit that Grandma Relda may have a point when she gets snatched by a giant. From there, it’s all fairies, jabberwockies, big bad wolves, and followers of the Red Hand as the family works on their cases and find out about the conspiracy that shakes Ferryport to its foundations.
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Ranking Sisters of the Quantock Hills
In the midst of of WW1, the four Purcell sisters come of age in the backyard of the local pastor’s family, the Mackenzies finding love, fufillment, and venturing out to the big world after their parents’ deaths.
- Frances’s Story: As the eldest, Frances is the most driven to provide for her sisters as well as pursue her own art. In fact, she’s been accepted into one of the most prestigious academies for art despite her age, gender and lack of finances. She knows there are a lot of barriers in her way, so she works doubly hard to prove herself. But therein lies the conflict for most of the book as she longs for the boy next door, but her mother’s prophetic words that she’ll lose her art if she marries, has Frances closing herself off. That single-mindedness makes her quite unlikable in other books as she dismisses everyone else, and it hurts to see her be so stubborn and hurtful to Gabriel and herself, unable to reconcile that she can have love and art. But you can understand her struggle as she tries hard to keep it together all the time, and make it in a difficult field. This messy internal struggle makes for a fascinating read along with the devasting backdrop of WW1 as the locals realize that this war is not long the ones before, it is far more devasting than they could imagine and will truly change the world as they know it.
- Julia’s Story: While Frances’ story is on the homefront, Julia decides to go and help those on the front lines. Heading up as a nurse allows her to be close to Geoffry but as the war continues Julia experiences loss and horror that she’ll never be able to share with her sisters when she comes home. Harris goes in-depth in describing the suvivor’s guilt, shellshock and PTSD, the soldiers and nurses deal with during the war as well as the isolation afterwards that estranges Julia from the rest of the Purcells who can’t understand the things she’s seen. The story is also unique in that it deals with the grief after Geoffry’s death and how it haunts Julia’s life and marriage afterwards, encouraging communication and healing with her current husband as she tries to let go of her first love. While the previous book highlights Harris’ character skills, this novel shows off her imagery and descriptive skills as you feel you’re there in the shambled tents and battle-scarred lands.
- Gwen’s Story: Gwen has always been the most introverted and sheltered of the sisters, preferring to putter in the garden. Her boyfriend, Anthony, goes as far as accusing her of cowardice and hiding from the world. The final words he says to her before dying in a dogfight during the war. So when the disturbing murmurs of WW2 approaches, Gwen is determined to do something. It’s almost a full circle redemption as the the new war begins, allowing Gwen a chance to risk her life and ideals for strangers she never met. By forcing her out of her comfort zone, Gwen is able to truly live for the first time. However, this book is more slow than the others and the action only appears in the end, making Gwen’s development feel rushed.
- Sarah’s Story: Sarah’s a preteen during her story, slowly realizing how unfair the world is as the country pitches into WW1. Unfortunately, Sarah’s age makes her oblivious and uninformed about the big events around her, relying on readers to pick up the historical context and subtext that Sarah is missing. It’s a coming of age story as Sarah struggles through her education without the class or means of her fellow students, but it’s so trite compared to what’s happening around her.
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Top 5 80s Katy Keene stories
I had to clarify 80s in the title as I felt it was only fair to highlight I haven’t read all the Katy Keene stories. I’ve only read the reprints in the 2000s Archie’s digest which are just 80s reprints. But to me, that is the Katy Keene with its shoulder pads, big hair and colorful palette. It made the world of supermodels as frothy, exciting and glamerous as you could you want.
- Frizzy Tizzy: It’s a simple story of Katy trying to decide which hairstyle would work best for her upcoming photoshoot, showing off that glorious era of perms and upteased hair but it gets first place because it was the first Katy Keene story I ever read and nostalgia always wins.
- How the Other Half Lives: This New Year’s Eve story reflects on Katy’s career triumphs and humble beginnings, highlighting her backstory and how her parents’ unexpected deaths forced Katy to become caretaker to her sister and unexpectedly a supermodel. This one probably deserves first as it has it all, pathos, Katy’s many boys, amazing designs and a funny Christmas gift twist at the end too.
- New Year Cheer: Sis gets her own romance in a Cinderella-style daydream. It’s very sweet for Sis to get the spotlight (as well as her real name, Melissa) as her stories in this era usually involve an eccentric space professor, aliens and underwater creatures. Yeah, Sis’ stories can get surreal so this is a nice medium.
- Luck of the Leperchaun: Whenever Katy’s friend, Lorelei is around, there’s a bit of a magic in the air. Usually it’s Houdini, but this time it’s leperchauns as Katy helps her friend get back her family’s ancestral castle in Scotland. It’s full of camp but who doesn’t love some supernatural fun in the Archie universe?
- Supermodel: Katy gets into superhero mode when her brand new red pumps give her superspeed. It’s a lighthearted story where Katy uses her powers to save lives and save time on photoshoot changes but Gloria does her best to steal the heels for herself with unexpected results. Spidey said it best, “With great heels, come great responsibility.”
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The Elite
35 girls entered the palace, six are left, and now there are specific “events” that are supposed to weed out the contenders.
America thinks she’s in love with Maxon but after the inclusion of Aspen back in her sphere, and the challenges of being a potential princess start to mount, she finds herself doubtful fo where she belongs.
And that’s not just getting into the rebellious Southerners trying to kill them all.
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Top 5 Veronica’s Passport
I guess I could just say Veronica issues but my favorites are the ones of her crime solving travel adventures (much like Scooby Doo) so I put Veronica’s Passport even though it’s not the official name. I also must put a disclaimer that I haven’t read all of Veronica’s travel adventures but I’m still holding out for Archie Comics to put out an actual omnibus or special anniversary digest.
- Veronica in Paris: The first issue gets first place and it honestly deserves it. Not only is it in the City of Lights but has everything you could ask for in a Veronica advenure-fashion montages, sexy French men, and a confrontationn between a renowned jewel thief and Interpol ontop of the Eiffle Tower. It hypes up everything to come.
- Veronica in Texas: I think I mentioned this story before, but it is part of one of my favorite digests and features an amnesiac Veronica belieivng she’s a rodeo star. It has the return of Lady Smitty, rodeo clown shenanigans and the Lodges reluctantly relying on a phony psychic. Just like everything else, the adventure is bigger in Texas.
- Veronica in Switzerland: It’s one of her more underrated adventures I believe but I enjoy it because I felt like I learned a lot about Switzerland while also feeling the coziness of a winter romance with the avalanches and such.
- Veronica in the Bahamas: The Bahamas are practically Veronica’s second home but her deep sea diving trip springs up a shipwrecked treasure, which other tomb robbers want to get their hands on first. Luckily, Veronica has new friends to help her when she’s stuck between a shark and a rock place.
- Veronica in Rome: A comedy of errors has Veronica ending up in a school for deliquents in Rome when her father meant to send her to a school for business entrepeneurs. Luckily, Veronica learns to take the lemons to make lemon biscotti and ends up making several important business decisions with the help of a sweet Roman hottie.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 