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Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir
Book
A beautifully drawn graphic novel that illuminates the conflicted land of Kashmir, through a young...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Almost Sisters in Books
Jan 23, 2018
Great story with a strong cast of characters
Leia Birch Briggs is a self-professed nerd: a graphic novelist with a penchant for comic books, Wonder Woman, and online gaming. So it's not exactly surprising that, with the help of tequila, she'd fall for a handsome man in a Batman costume at a comics convention in Atlanta. What comes next is a bit more of a surprise: Leia is pregnant from that one-night stand, and it's up to her to tell her over-protective family and very Southern grandmother. To top it off, said Batman was African American: not exactly the easiest thing to tell your Baptist family with Southern roots. But before Leia can even tell her family, she gets some disturbing news from Alabama about her paternal grandmother, Birchie. As Leia rushes to Alabama to help Birchie, she also learns that her stepsister, Rachel, is struggling. So Leia and her teenage niece, Lavender, head to Alabama to assist Birchie and break Leia's big news. But it turns out Birchie has some pretty big news of her own. News that will change everything Leia has ever known about her family.
This is one of those ARCs that I don't remember requesting, but I'm really glad I did. It was a pleasant surprise - just a fun, warm novel, even with its serious (and extremely timely) subject matter. I warmed to nerdy Leia immediately (and not just because I have a cat named after said Princess): she's real and flawed and quite relatable. All of the women in Leia's life are well-written and their own people: sweet Lavender, trying to figure out her way in the world as her parents' marriage implodes; Rachel, Lavender's mom, a perfectionist struggling with a lot of imperfection; Wattie, Birchie's best friend, an African American woman living with her in Alabama; and then the amazing Birchie herself, written so impeccably that I could just see her stubborn, regal face pour vibrantly from every page. I fell hard for each of these women and their struggles became mine.
Sure, a lot of this book is a little predictable, but the racial tensions and struggles that Jackson writes about are not: they are real and true. Jackson captures the racial divisions so well - the sweet, kind sweet tea side of the South versus the dark, racist, segregated aspects. I could just picture Birchville and its townsfolk. The novel is excellent in that so much of the story is humorous, yet the serious side is very well-done, too.
Leia is a graphic novelist and portions of the book describe a graphic novel she'd written -- I'm not a huge graphic novel fan, so I wasn't completely into those pieces, but I was able to slide past them. The parallels in Leia's novel to the South didn't elude me, so I appreciated why that was included, even if I didn't always want to read a summary of a supposedly graphic novel. Some of the symbolism and metaphors may be a little too forced/spelled out for us at times, but I still enjoyed the novel very much. Pieces of it made me laugh out loud - Leia's sense of humor and her predicaments, Birchie's tough sensibility. Birchie and Wattie's dynamic was wonderful, and I really cared for those two.
In the end, I really enjoyed this one. There's a great story here as well a plot that doesn't gloss over racial discord. I appreciated both. The cast of characters is great -- real, funny, humorous, and heartbreaking. Certainly recommend.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Librarything (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.
This is one of those ARCs that I don't remember requesting, but I'm really glad I did. It was a pleasant surprise - just a fun, warm novel, even with its serious (and extremely timely) subject matter. I warmed to nerdy Leia immediately (and not just because I have a cat named after said Princess): she's real and flawed and quite relatable. All of the women in Leia's life are well-written and their own people: sweet Lavender, trying to figure out her way in the world as her parents' marriage implodes; Rachel, Lavender's mom, a perfectionist struggling with a lot of imperfection; Wattie, Birchie's best friend, an African American woman living with her in Alabama; and then the amazing Birchie herself, written so impeccably that I could just see her stubborn, regal face pour vibrantly from every page. I fell hard for each of these women and their struggles became mine.
Sure, a lot of this book is a little predictable, but the racial tensions and struggles that Jackson writes about are not: they are real and true. Jackson captures the racial divisions so well - the sweet, kind sweet tea side of the South versus the dark, racist, segregated aspects. I could just picture Birchville and its townsfolk. The novel is excellent in that so much of the story is humorous, yet the serious side is very well-done, too.
Leia is a graphic novelist and portions of the book describe a graphic novel she'd written -- I'm not a huge graphic novel fan, so I wasn't completely into those pieces, but I was able to slide past them. The parallels in Leia's novel to the South didn't elude me, so I appreciated why that was included, even if I didn't always want to read a summary of a supposedly graphic novel. Some of the symbolism and metaphors may be a little too forced/spelled out for us at times, but I still enjoyed the novel very much. Pieces of it made me laugh out loud - Leia's sense of humor and her predicaments, Birchie's tough sensibility. Birchie and Wattie's dynamic was wonderful, and I really cared for those two.
In the end, I really enjoyed this one. There's a great story here as well a plot that doesn't gloss over racial discord. I appreciated both. The cast of characters is great -- real, funny, humorous, and heartbreaking. Certainly recommend.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Librarything (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Behind Closed Doors in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Extremely disturbing - needs a trigger warning
I've never felt so moved and violently uncomfortable /ill at the same time while reading a book before. The level of graphic psychological abuse described definitely requires a trigger warning before survivors listen because unfortunately the truth is stranger than fiction, despite many readers wanting to wave away the experiences as 'absurd' on some of the Amazon reviews.
While there were some instances that were unclear especially near the end, and slightly inconclusive in the climax, which was a bit unsatisfactory - it should be listened to as a psychological cautionary tale rather than a thriller as such. To describe it as a mystery would be insulting to those who have experienced it.
While there were some instances that were unclear especially near the end, and slightly inconclusive in the climax, which was a bit unsatisfactory - it should be listened to as a psychological cautionary tale rather than a thriller as such. To describe it as a mystery would be insulting to those who have experienced it.
I received a free copy of this novel direct from the author in return for an honest review.
The fact that I received it free and from the author in no way influences how I feel about this book ... it was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it. It sounds corny but I really couldn't put it down.
It is an exceptionally well told, well written story with really well thought-out characters. It was fast paced from the start with plenty of violence which is graphic but written in such a way as not to be gratuitous.
My full review can be found at http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-review-of-survivor-horror-thriller.html
The fact that I received it free and from the author in no way influences how I feel about this book ... it was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it. It sounds corny but I really couldn't put it down.
It is an exceptionally well told, well written story with really well thought-out characters. It was fast paced from the start with plenty of violence which is graphic but written in such a way as not to be gratuitous.
My full review can be found at http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-review-of-survivor-horror-thriller.html
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb] by [D.R. Martin] was an incredible adventure. In the classic sense of serial adventures from the 1940's the young cub photographer, who happens to see ghosts and is 12 yrs old, has to save the world from a horrible new bomb. Along with his sister, Melanie and other friends, they travel the world to solve the mystery and stop destruction.
As a teacher who just spent the past three weeks teaching about the making of the atomic bomb this book seemed to parallel that with a 'ghostly' twist. (I know bad pun.) I will be looking forward to reading book two. Also did I mention besides ghosts there are zombies. Highly recommended.
As a teacher who just spent the past three weeks teaching about the making of the atomic bomb this book seemed to parallel that with a 'ghostly' twist. (I know bad pun.) I will be looking forward to reading book two. Also did I mention besides ghosts there are zombies. Highly recommended.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) in Movies
Aug 22, 2017
Great acting (1 more)
Wonderful special effects
An adult version of Harry Potter
I have a soft spot for the Harry Potter series, a guilty pleasure. So I was hugely elated when this film came out. And more than anything, it felt like a grown-up version of the HP series, which is perfect timing for all the now adults who grew up with these films. It's beautiful in terms of CGI and graphics, especially the world of the fantastic beasts, and the abuse is much more graphic. The acting is by far on another level with Eddie Redmayne, Jon Voight, and Colin Farrell and the story is engaging. Looking forward to the next instalment!
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Alita: Battle Angel (2019) in Movies
Feb 11, 2019
Graphic (2 more)
Set
Cgi
Hollywood once again taking strong female hero turing her to love sick fool
I was so excited for this film. However I left feeling disapointed. There was so much promise in this film. Great ine liners that showed a strong girl and one part had her in a bar and fighting for the right reason fighting for the little guy for what right. However instead of a great story and plot and a strong female hero we got left with a love sick tween who motivations for seeing the end of the villain purely on tween love rather than somone who was fighting for the greater good and this left me sad.
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Scarred Love (Sulfur Heights, #1) in Books
May 7, 2019
the author has wrote a very graphic tale but in a sensitive tone. the first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book. this book is a beautiful book which contains some hard hitting story lines that will pull at your heart. the characters are very well thought out and work really well. this book will draw you in and keep you hooked till the last page. I couldn't put this book down, it was sad one minute, funny the next keeping you gripped. the book has a lovely ending and gets you ready for the next in the series
highly recommended
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Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning, #2) in Books
Jun 7, 2019
Exceptional read
I could not put this book down once I had picked it up and I have re-read it so many times I've had to get a new copy! I loved the fresh take on the Persephone myth, it makes so much more sense in a way then the original story and is so well written that I felt everything that the main character was feeling and couldnt help but tear up at points.
If you love the Greek myths then you will not be able to forget this book! Not really suitable for younger readers but it isn't as graphic or sexual as other books I read when I was younger.
If you love the Greek myths then you will not be able to forget this book! Not really suitable for younger readers but it isn't as graphic or sexual as other books I read when I was younger.
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Hacksaw Ridge (2016) in Movies
Mar 1, 2018
I like a film that tells a good story and the fact this one is true just makes it even better. Desmond Doss is a hero and I am so glad this film was made as his story is definitely one that deserves to be told. I was captivated by both "halves" and I believe it managed to build a better understanding of his character and the man he grew up to be. The war scenes were graphic and really make you think of the horrors that occur. I don't like watching movies that have a lot of hype, as I am often disappointed, but this one deserved the plaudits it received.
