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Matilda Review
Apparently I missed the book lovers memo about reading Matilda. People were always shocked that someone who likes books as much as I do had never read Matilda. So I have finally rectified that.
Actually it’s the first Dahl book I have read which is another blasphemy but I already saw the movie versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory so I never bothered. Anyway, Matilda was an enjoyable book and I can understand why book lovers enjoy it so.
Dahl is able to perfectly detail how magical reading is with Matilda, showing how it takes her to new worlds and fills her imagination. As well as the horrid tragedy when someone rips a book out of your hands and ignorantly discards it. Plus just the whole idea that reading gives you superpowers is just fun.
Furthermore, it’s just fun. As Matilda says: “Children are not so serious as grown-ups and love to laugh.” Dahl demonstartes it in full force here with the delightful pranks Matilda pulls on her parents and the over the top actions of the Trunchbull.
Yet despite the outrageousness of the punishments and Trunchbull’s cruelty, Matilda does hit a truthful point that by acting so outlandishly, no parent would believe it to be true.
Furthermore, it’s just very sweet to see the mother-daughter relationship grow between Ms. Honey and Matilda as the two who are very alone in the world but are able to understand and help each other in the end.
So overall cute book. Maybe I would have been enamoured if I read it back then, but I certainly see why people enjoy it so much and I’m glad I finally got around to it.
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Pretty Little Liars: Vicious Review
Ah it’s the end and it is a doozy! The Liars are at the end of the line since being accused of Ali’s murder and their prospects are grim. The world has turned on them and counter evidence to their innocence is sparse.
They try to put up a brave front but it’s hard considering the circumstances. Spencer does what she does by researching and planning ahead possibly to ditch town for good but finds doing so in reality is much harder as an old romance and burgeoning family news keeps her at home. Aria on the other hand does take that risk but the paranoia is too great for her. Hanna, on the other hand is trying to soak up the last few happy moments she can have by getting married to Mike and Emily makes the biggest decision of all.
And Emily’s final act is what nearly splinters the Liars apart just when they need each other most.
And that’s just in the first 100 pages.
Anything after that is pretty much a spoiler so I will just finish with my thoughts.
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Bravely Review
Here’s another one for International Princess Week and I think the princess in the spotlight today should be obvious. Especially since it’s titled Bravely.
I’ll admit I came into this with low expectations as I was not much of a fan of the movie but it absolutely blew me out of the water. Split into four parts for the four seasons, Merida has just as much time to save her family. Ferdach, the god of ruin has determined that Dun Broch is stagnant and must be destroyed in order to pave the way for renewal. But Merida will not let her and her family die with a whimper, making a bargain with Ferdach and the Caillleach (Goddess of life, think Irish version of Gaea), she promises the whole family will have changed and grown and do not need to be destroyed.
Which is a good thing too as another enemy from the South makes a deal with them too. Instead of sending sons or marrying off Merida, they will prove their allyship by visiting three kingdoms on a diplomatic trip-Kinlochy, Eilean Glan and Ardbarrach.
She does have one thorn in her side in the shape shifting form of Ferdach as part of their bargain is that she can only speak of it with him. And he must show her instances of external ruin being a good bringer of change as she shows him internal change is the best way to move forward.
Set several years after the events of the movie (about four years I believe it’s implied), the family is pretty happy and Merida realizes it is true, they are set in their ways. The triplets have grown more distinct, her parents complacent in ruling and they even have a new family member. A flighty, sweet, superstitious servant girl named Leezie that doesn’t do much housework but has become like a foster sister/daughter to the Dun Broch’s.
And since there’s a lot of characters, I’m going to split my thoughts by character.
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Long Live the Pumpkin Queen Review
Apparently this is Princess Week so it’s good timing to post my thoughts on the story I never knew I wanted. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those movies that was a pretty excellent standalone with a creepy aesthetic and memorable characters that you think its fine as a standalone. But this book expands on the character of Sally revealing new worlds and potential in the Halloween Town universe.
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Author Highlight: Avi
I know this classic children’s author primarly through his historical fiction work though he has dabbled in various genres like fantasy, realism and animal adventure.
What makes Avi’s writing so wonderful besides how prolific he is that he cuts to the human emotions and carefully builds his suspense even in the day to day life on a prarie schoolhouse.
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The Dawn of Yangchen Review
If there is one thing you can count on, it’s that Yee will knock it out of the park when it comes to writing the Avatar universe. This is only the first book of the duology but I gasped multiple times and was on the edge of my seat while reading. The Dawn of Yangchen is just so good!
Yee gets right into the action with 8 year old Yangchen having a fitful day due to her Avatar memories. She is unable to control when they come and she is thrown into her past life, often talking to an imaginary person but sometimes wailing over a loss that only she understands. She is haunted by her pasts and their regrets, so much regret. That is what sets the stage for Yangchen in the present as she determines to use her time to act and not live in regret over failed actions as her past lives did.
But as Yangchen is quickly realizing, it is hard to act when everyone around her refuse to listen to her commands. They much prefer the Avatar as a figurehead and when they want her to solve problems, solve them in a way that won’t interfere with their plans to attain wealth, land, prestige etc. It’s doubly difficult as leaders much preferred and respected her predecessor Avatar Szeto and see her an inexperienced, too trusting Air Nomad who has no idea how the “real” world works.
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Summer Comics/Manga
Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura
This fun manga follows a group of amars/okuta (women who don’t need men/adult fangirls) as they try to save their building from being sold to greedy developers by creating their own fashion line.
Tsukimi is the star of it, and as you can guess from the title, her specific obssession is jellyfish thanks to an enduring sweet memory from her childhood with Mom. Jellyfish bring beauty to ‘s life and her staunch support for jellyfish as when she buys one from a local pet store is what leads her to meet .
Kuranosuke is the cross-dressing son of a prominant politician. He’s so convincing he manages to safely enter the sancutary of the which men are forbidden. His great sense of style and secret crush on is a vital part to the mission as he helps set up to start making the Princess Jellyfish fashion line, runway show and pop up store.
There’s also Shū, Kuranosuke’s half brother, a promising politician himself and a 30 year old virgin (it’s a plot point I swear) who falls for Tsukimi’s glamorous makeover and she for him.
I know love triangle. . drama! But don’t worry it doesn’t take up too much tedious time as other love triangles do. Rather the manga is focused on the characters as readers learn the stories of each okuta, finding passion and beauty in what you love, standing for what you believe in and found family. Also the minor characters are just funny.
It’s a hilarious twisting premise that is sure to delight fellow okutas.
(more…)#akikohigashimura, #amazingagentluna, #azumangadaioh, #boom!studios, #cecilcastellucci, #comics, #dreaminsun, #emmieandfriends, #giantdays, #graphicnovels, #harpercollins, #hudaf.areyou?, #hudafahmy, #ichigotakano, #jimrugg, #johnallison, #kiyohikoazuma, #kodanshainternational, #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders, #manga, #nunziodeflippis, #omarmohamed, #penguinrandomhouse, #plainjanes, #princessjellyfish, #rachelreads&reviews, #sevenseasentertainment, #terrilibenson, #victoriajamieson, #whenthestarsarescattered, #yenpress -
DC Ink
Raven by Kami Garcia
I believe this is the start of Garcia’s Teen Titans books for DC Ink. Well they were the start for me at least and it gets right into the action of a fatal car crash. Raven has amnesia, and her mother is dead. Luckily, she still has her aunt and cousin even though she doesn’t remember anything at all. Least of all, her powers or the importance of her necklace.
Garcia does a fine job with the suspense, letting readers slowly come to their own conclusions of Raven’s powers, how much her family knows and what Raven is trying to figure out herself. Plus Picolo’s art is amazing. I love the visual representation of Raven’s empath powers and the invasive mind reading that she can’t quite control.
Additionally, I enjoyed the addition of what I believe is Santeria or at least New Orleans vodoo in regards to Max and her mom’s powers. Raven is so lucky to ave such a cool family in that regard.Beast Boy by Kami Garcia
Like above, Garcia does a good job in defining Garfield’s personality as a regular, joking kid who aspire to bulk up and ask out the girl of her dreams, be a little more popular than he is. Though it sounds like a classic loser boy-realizes-popularity-isn’t-all-that-cracked-up-to-be, it isn’t. Garfield never turns into a jerk, oblivious but not a jerk.
First off he has two friends that keep him grounded, and second, his love of animals shines through as he takes drastic measures to save lab animals during his epic prank. The latter is excelllent forshadowing about what is to come regards his mysterious powers surfacing when he stops taking his supplements. Once again Picolo’s art shines in depicting the rough animal changes Garfield goes through.
Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kim Garcia
As before, Gacia’s mystery is the bets part as Raven and Garfield end up in Nashville to find shady Slade who claims to have answers to their powers. While waiting, there is some cute tourist exploration with the two that allows them ample time to bond.
However, the romance feels a bit forced. Even though I believe that they can come to care for each other and have a crush on each other in two days, the “I love you’s” seem too soon. Again, it was two days, let’s slow down people.
Meanwhile, Max continues her covert babysitting which allows her to bump into Robin! I know, awesome surprise and nicely sets up the next book and the eventual team up. So excited for the next one.
(more…)#beastboy, #beastboylovesraven, #comics, #dccomics, #dcink, #dearjusticeleague, #gabrielpicolo, #gothamhigh, #gustavoduarte, #isaacgoodhart, #kimgarcia, #kodykeplinger, #laurenmyracle, #lauriehalseanderson, #manuelpreitano, #mariekenijkamp, #melissadelacruz, #michaelmoreci, #michaelnorthrop, #nicolegoux, #poisonivy:thorns, #rachelreads&reviews, #raven, #sarahkuhn, #sarakipin, #sasmilledge, #shadowofthebatgirl, #thelostcarnival, #theoraclecode, #thomaspitilli, #underthemoon, #victorandnora:agothamlovestory, #wonderfulwomenoftheworld, #zatanna:thejewelofgravesend -
Top 5 Dork Diaries
1. Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
This was the first book I read from the series even though it’s the second. My mom got it from some used books bin so yeah. Anyway the hilarious running around Nikki went through trying to juggle the three different parties literally made me breathless from laughter. That plus the (now outdated) current pop culture references with Nikki’s fiesty dialogue contrasted with her more wimpier actions made it feel relatable. From there I was hooked.
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Kiki’s Delivery Service Review
When I saw this classic by Eiko Kadono in the library, I just had to read it and see how it compared to the movie. My conclusion is that it’s delightful in its own way.
Inspired by a drawing by her 12 year old daughter, this is the book that inspired Kadono to make writing her life’s work, and to make it relatable, she kept things simple. Kiki is a twelve year old girl, a witch as passed down from her mother’s blood. But witches and their ways have been slowly disappearing and so Kiki only posseses one power-flight on her broom. That way, Kadono forces Kiki to use her head and her creativity to problem solve.
And that’s what she does on her coming of age year. She travels to an unfamiliar town at the river leading to the sea, Koriko. There, Kiki and her black cat, Jiji set up a delivery service next door to the bakery and get into several adventures. It’s really more like a series of vignettes from delivering a stuffed toy to a spoiled boy and having Jiji briefly act as a replacement to delivering secret admirer letters to giving a tugboat a belly warmer. My personal favorite was the spring concert where she delivered the forgotten instruments and made a concert of her own.
While there is not one big plot, and yes, it’s hard to not think of the movie (in the book Kiki doesn’t have the magic block and subsequent finding her joy again nor does Trombo nearly fall off a blimp or collide with the clock tower. The artist is unnamed in the book etc.), I do enjoy the hints to Kiki’s coming of age. Learning to deal with homesickness, curiosity about crushes and love, making new friends, and just standing on her own two feet. Or her own broom in this case.
Additionally, I enjoy how the relationship between Kiki and her mother is fleshed out here and more background of her childhood in the town. It’s very sweet.
If you’re a fan of big plots and momentuous coming of age insight, you will probably be bored by this book. But if you’re in the mood for a light slice-of-life book with a charming sweetness in the vein of the Ghibli movie, you’ll enjoy seeing its original source.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 