A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY By Libba Bray

A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY

By Libba Bray

Categories:  Fantasy, young adult

Victorian boarding school set in a Gothic mansion seems like a great story to fold into 16 year old Gemma Doyle, who is still reeling from the death of her mother. But add premonitions, magic and other worlds to the mix and you get A Great and Terrible Beauty. Inexplicably drawn to the unusual, Gemma foresees the untimely death of her mother while living in India. After this loss, she is sent to Spence, a girl’s boarding school in London. Here she meets new faces and is drawn to something she can’t quite explain. The mystery of her visions is explained more when she and her new friends from Spence explore the other realms where magic is used to keep and maintain power by a group of ancient women called the Order.

There’s quite a bit of intrigue and suspense in this novel, and I enjoyed the detective agency feel to what the girls were getting into. I actually listened to this book on audio CD. It was easy to listen to, and I was pleased to find this book had become a trilogy. It was a good read with a lot of pretty imagery described, and I would suggest it to fantasy fans. If it keeps your interest, the second book is called Rebel Angels.  

DRINKING & TWEETING AND OTHER BRANDI BLUNDERS By Brandi Glanville with Leslie Bruce

DRINKING & TWEETING AND OTHER BRANDI BLUNDERS By Brandi Glanville with Leslie Bruce

Categories: Non-fiction, rag-mag

First of all, I’m not entirely sure why I’m doing a review on a book that could have been an article in People/Us Magazine. I don’t watch “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, I’m not a fan of LeAnn Rimes’s music, and I don’t subscribe to or pore over gossip magazines.

That being said, this book follows the story of Brandi Glanville. She was married to an actor who had small roles in soap operas, etc. They had two small children in 2009 when her husband Edward Cibrian starred in a made for TV movie with former (current?) country singer LeAnn Rimes. The two ‘stars’ began an affair and Brandi, who was apparently in deep denial over the cheating ways of her beloved, eventually divorced Eddie, who then married LeAnn. Following so far? I recall it being something of a tabloid scandal and since then Brandi has dealt with cyber-stalking and co-parenting. This lead to her getting a role on a reality TV show called “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (which must be a loosely interpreted title, since Brandi is not a housewife, not entirely “real” thanks to plastic surgery, and by her own admission does not make enough money to live in Beverly Hills).

If I’m honest, the first couple chapters were interesting because Brandi is very candid about what happened between her and her ex-husband. It was cheeky and honest. Like when she goes on a double date (before the scandal happens)with Eddie and LeAnn and her husband while they are filming that TV movie, Brandi overhears LeAnn asking Eddie if he wanted to lick cake frosting off her chest. Brandi confronts them immediately and asks “What the fuck do you two have going on?” Which is more mature then I would have approached things. There would probably be chipped teeth and bruises involved.

After the first few chapters though, this book does get repetitive and rehash the same concepts that get introduced in the beginning of the book. Brandi hates her ex-husband, hates his new wife, and hates her kids getting attached to their “bonus parent”. We get it. She doesn’t have any skills to find work so she considers the reality TV show a big break-though.  Due to the legal proceedings of her divorce, she is not able to actually speak about  how things turned out for her monetary-wise.

Here's this Brandi:

And the ex plus home wrecker:

I can’t criticize too harshly though,  No one forced me to google who these people were after finishing the book (there were no pictures provided). No one made me read it at all. If I could go back in time and decide to stop reading after the first couple chapters, well I’d be a millionaire with time travel so I much of what I’d do would be more captivating than going back to report about a story lagging moral.

GAME OF THRONES By George R R Martin

Game of Thrones By George R R Martin

Categories: Fantasy, adventure

I am aware that this book (series) already has a cult following.

Having acknowledged that, this book is amazing! You get to experience the interlocking web of vast plot lines, stories, and histories.

We enter the realm of Winterfell, home to Lord Eddard (Ned) Stark and his brood of five children with wife Lady Stark, plus one bastard Jon Snow. His family has reigned over the North since the first men came to this part of the world. Winterfell is part of the Seven Kingdoms, ruled over absolutely by King Robert Baratheon, who happened to grow up with Ned Stark. His former Hand of the King has died suddenly and Robert asks his most trusted friend in all the Seven Kingdoms to fill the position of most trusted advisor, second in command.

So begins the start of an epic tale seen through the eyes of Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand to the King. Lady Catelyn, wife to Ned, of the House Tully. Tyrion Lannister, brother of the Queen Cersei, an Imp who wields knowledge like a knight wields a sword. Jon Snow, Lord Stark’s bastard from his one dishonorable trist during the very beginning of his marriage to Catelyn , which happened while he was away at war and Catelyn was home pregnant with their first child Robb. Sansa, eldest Stark daughter, betrothed to King Robert’s son Prince Joffrey; a selfish and gullible girl. Arya, younger Stark daughter who is hot-headed and tomboyish; she and Sansa are about as opposite as any two sisters can be. Bran, second youngest Stark child, who happens upon a dark secret early in the book that sets off a chain of crushing consequences. And on the other side of the world (or across the sea) we encounter Daenerys, who was once of the reigning family of the Seven Kingdoms, and in a manner of ways entitled to the Iron Throne across the sea, were it not for her elder brother Viserys. However, Viserys arranges a marriage so Daenerys will be queen of the Dothraki nomads, a force with over a hundred thousand warriors at his command. The timid Daenerys turns into a Khaleesi (queen) and finds courage and power among the Dothraki, alongside her husband Khal Drogo.

This was an incredible book for a number of reasons. It was fantasy, magic lives in this world,  but that was not the focus of the story. It was entirely driven by these characters. Each chapter told in their voice was a window through their eyes, taking their reactions and motives and using them to propel the series of events that happen. It was also not a clear cut black and white picture of people. Sure, there are villains who come out and make you hate them, but the story flows in a way that makes you realize they are probably doing what is best for them, what they believe to be true. The only exception to this for me was the spoiled, loathsome Prince Joffrey. I found his actions to be revolting and cruel, which if that was the way you thought people would follow you and fear you, perhaps would work to a small selection of people. But his “antics” left little for me to empathize about. Another who could be a villain is Joffrey’s uncle, the Imp Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion, however, has none of the ruthless ambition of his family and is quite humorous. He won me over (and quite a few powerful people in the book as well) with his wit and cunning.

My favorite was Princess Daenerys across the sea. She transformed from a timid, submissive sister into a powerful, exceptional leader. There is only one Iron Throne that rules the Seven Kingdoms and it turns into a shuffle of who should be seated there ruling, who is best equipped, best suited, who has the most valid claim. Like actual life, this was no easy web to untangle. Several people end up having a legitimate argument as to whom the crown belongs to.

The novel was suspenseful, scary, delightful, sad, surprising and exciting. I grew attached to each narrator and even though I knew a lot of big spoilers beforehand, was close to tears during a particular death. It moved me, feeling this pain from the child who witnessed it. I embraced the growth of each person and cringed at the struggles they faced. The fantasy aspect, direwolves and white-walkers, dragons and tree-spirits, was speckled throughout the adventures. Dive into this book, live these stories like I did. It takes an effort to begin a 700+ page book, but this one will keep you guessing until the last page.

Memorable quote:

“The things I do for love.” -Ser Jaime Lannister (Kingslayer)

How do you feel about the Game of Thrones?

ANYA'S GHOST By Vera Brosgol

ANYA’S GHOST By Vera Brosgol


Categories: Graphic novel, paranormal fiction


High school is not easy for Anya. She’s not as skinny as the popular girls and her mother is an immigrant from Russia with little sympathy for the woes of an un-popular teenage girl. But everything changes when Anya falls into a pit and stumbles across a skeleton.  This is no ordinary pit though, a girl named Emily once fell in and died a long time ago and her ghost remains. Emily is bored and lonely in the pit and decides to follow Anya around. It goes well, but then a dark side of Emily comes out… 

This shadowy tale of a haunt gone awry is fun and humorous. Anya can’t catch a break until she meets Emily; and then it all goes wrong. Our heroine was witty and sympathetic. All illustrations were shades of purple and gray and black, a befitting color scheme for a ghost story. 


This was a fun read and Neil Gaiman hailed it “A Masterpiece.”  This should be enough encouragement to seek out this graphic novel. Happy hauntings!

SICKENED: A MEMOIR OF A MUNCHAUSEN BY PROXY CHILDHOOD By Julie Gregory

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

By Julie Gregory

Categories: Non-Fiction, medical conditions

A compelling first-hand account of the chilling disorder called Munchausen by Proxy (MBP). Originally published in 2003, it’s the first of its kind to depict the trauma caused when an adult, in this case Julie’s mother, intentionally misleads everyone into believing her child is sick. Julie is put through countless procedures, tests, examinations, and a variety of drugs to aid the symptoms her mother makes up. This book was gruesome, not only were this girl’s parents dismissive and abusive, they kept it going for years. 

The first half reads as a sort of “what more could they possibly do to this poor girl?” and it isn’t until Julie is about 30 that she breaks out of this cycle where she needs her parents. It was very well written, and there’s always this lingering question of “how does it end, why does she keep associating with her mother?” One thing I did not like, that stuck with me, was Julie likening her dependence on her mother (despite and even because of the abuse) to dragging around a placenta. It struck me as odd because Julie was never protected or nurtured by her mother, just manipulated and abused. The nature of their relationship is only brought to an end when a grown up Julie sees her mother doing the exact same thing to another helpless twelve year old girl. This was an absorbing read with a lot of insightful glimpses as to the destructive nature of MBP. Anyone interested in Psychology or social work would do well to read this book.

THE HUNT By Andrew Fukuda ...& THE PREY By Andrew Fukuda

THE HUNT By Andrew Fukuda

Categories: Horror, Suspense

If you think it’s wise to be fearful of deadly creatures that eat human flesh, creatures that surpass us in speed and strength, the vampires in The Hunt are your type of monster. Gene and his father were the last humans alive in the society of vampires, hiding what they truly are by cleverly adopting the mannerisms and behaviors of the vampires. When Gene’s father rushes home one day with bite marks on his neck and races off into the sun to save Gene from what he would soon turn into and destroy himself in the sun’s rays, Gene is left completely alone. He still goes to high school to avoid suspicion, still shaves all his body hair away and keeps out of the sunlight to maintain their appearance. He does not swing his arms when he walks or laugh, he chomps down synthetic bloody meat and drools at the mention of “herpers” (humans), he blends into the vampires each and every day.
That alone would have made for a promising scary story. But things really fire up when Gene is chosen in the majorly anticipated vampire hunt of the last herpers. A lottery is set up to randomly select a handful of lucky vampires to vie for the prize of a human snack, but the special twist this year is that it’s not one captively-bred herper, it’s five of them. Being in a competition to hunt down and devour human flesh is not ideal for Gene, and would compromise his very life.
This book was so suspenseful and wonderful, I was so anxious to read the sequel and wrote it on my calendar the day I knew when it would come out (Guess what? It’s out now). Gene was an incredibly brave and clever guy, keeping his cool in situations where I would have undoubtedly lost my nerve and gotten eaten by ravenous vampires. Yet he still empathizes with the vampires because they are all he truly knows.There were twists and turns, surprises, close calls and action right up to the last page. It was eerie and chilling and original. There is some blood and mild gore but nothing that would be considered graphic. It was so good when the sequel came out I read it in a day, even though I was already in the middle of a great book I tossed it aside once I realized that The Prey began right where The Hunt left off. An awesome addition for any frightening fiction fan.


Bonus Mini Review!!!

 

The Prey By Andrew Fukuda

Categories: Horror, Suspense (sequel)

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THE HUNT ALREADY!

Spoilers- you have been warned thusly...

Last warning...

Ok so The Prey!! What an amazing thrill ride. We pick up right where we left off on the river with Gene and Sissy and the kids. Being chased by blood thirsty vampires with every intent on consuming their flesh. I was so sucked into this dang book that I stayed up way past my bedtime one night to get further... and then finished the whole thing in under a day. There were surprises about Ashley June, the Scientist, the trail they set out on and the things they find on the way. It was nerve-wracking and impossible to put down, a great sequel. I am so excited for the third (final?) in this thrillogy (series?) to some out in September. If you begin this book, I advise lots of available free time in which to soak it up and a friend to run over to (preferably one who’s also read both) whom you may scream and ponder and obsess about with.The moment I was done I raced over to my co-worker/friend and yelled “Oh my god!!!” And we talked about it for a good ten minutes just gushing over all the events of the book, a specific part we both got choked up about, and threw out much speculation over what was to come next. It was extremely absorbing!

THE LAST WEREWOLF By Glen Duncan

The Last Werewolf By Glen Duncan
Categories: Fiction, horror

I was almost indifferent to the first half of this novel. It was beautifully written, but our antihero Jake lacks the zest of life. Having been around for two hundred years, he’s seen it all. Now the task force secretly rooting out all werewolves from the world have given Jake his final warning, “You’re the last.” He will be hunted down the next full moon when he changes, probably beheaded, if the task force has their way. But Jake is depressed already, the only companion he has is the faithful Harley. Saving Harley while in werewolf form when he was a young man about to be murdered was the only heroic thing Jake admits to. ‘Fuckkilleat’ is the werewolf mantra.  In human form, Jake has no extraordinary abilities or traits. When it comes down to it, the whole thing read to me like a James Bond thriller (spies, captures, ransoms, escape, surveillance, double-agents) where our James Bond could care less about how it all turned out. Instead of hatching plans to survive, Jake is “pleasantly revisited by that seductive phrase, Come what may…Come what may… Come what may.” He refers to life as the “Boring drunk at the office party, keeps seeking you out, killing you with pointless yarns and laughing bad-breathed in your face at its own unfunny jokes.”

All this changes in the second act. It was a pleasant surprise and vastly transformed the whole landscape of this novel. Once things headed in an upward trajectory I was compelled to see how it played out for Jake.  I preferred the purpose driven werewolf. Jake might not be a good person, but he’s resigned himself to the ways of living life with the hand he’s been dealt. Turning into a werewolf and consuming a person every month might do that to a person. This book is not typical werewolf folklore; the heart of the story is driven by Jake’s capacity (or inability) to forgive himself. Anyone with a love for language and second chances will enjoy The Last Werewolf.