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Erika (17788 KP) rated The Oracle Year in Books

Apr 22, 2018  
The Oracle Year
The Oracle Year
Charles Soule | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was a selection for Book of the Month this April. I chose it because Charles Soule has written some of my favorite comics.
This book is about Will Dando, who receives several predictions from one dream. He posts select predictions on 'the Site' and he is known as 'The Oracle'. The government is after him, and religious sects are calling his the devil/blasphemer. It was impulsively readable.
But, it was just good. It wasn't great. Which, was a bummer. Because though it was readable, there was nothing new about it.
  
Oglaf Book One
Oglaf Book One
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have no idea if I've finished Book One of this mad-cap webcomic. It's different individual comics that have been put together in this book. A lot of them carry on from previous pages but are mixed in here and there to break them up. It's proper crazy at times, funny at others, and admittedly I didn't get some of them.

I'm sure I'll keep reading it at some point but my rating wont change.
  
The final in the Darkwing Duck comics brings in characters from Ducktales. As they tried to wrap everything up, it just became too rushed. Not their fault since their contract was canceled, but still not as fun to read as it could have been.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-darkwing-duckducktales.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting
Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting
Brian J. Gordon | 2016 | Health & Fitness
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased opinion.

Brian Gordon captures many moments where parents are their wits' end, trying desperately to remember that they still love their children. In several of the comics, he even talks about that parental feeling of thinking you know what love is, only to have it completely redefined when you have children. This book is great for parents battling between the two ends of the spectrum...

I love that he opened the book with a reminder that the reason airplane flight warning instructions start with "Put your mask on first, then on the faces of those around you who need help" because he's right...if a parents don't take the time to give themselves a little release, how can they be expected to take care of anyone else?

As I was always do, I highlighted my favorite of the comics to return to after: "Parenting is mostly just trying to explain in gentle, age-appropriate terms why being a dumbass and doing dumb shit will fuck your shit up."
  
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Michael Chabon | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"A Czech artist arrives in New York in the late 1930s and joins his cousin, a Brooklyn-born writer, and together they create comics. The world of comic books at that time was exploding, with the arrival of Superman in 1937. It would be criminal to try and explain these adventures, but Chabon is a truly great writer and fortunately he gets to do that in this book."

Source
  
Smuggler&#039;s Run: A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure
Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure
Greg Rucka | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This novella takes place in between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Now, I would have liked this more, if this story hadn't been told in multiple ways already. In fact, I read 'Honor Among Thieves', which is old canon, before I read this. It was practically the same story.
Anyway, if you want to read a young adult/children's book about a smuggling mission between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, this is the book for you. Though, 'Honor Among Thieves' was better.
Side note: Greg Rucka's writes some of the best comics, so I was sold on that.
  
The Harrowing of Doom
The Harrowing of Doom
David Annandale | 2020 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good book, but no real insight to Doom
As I am currently wading my way through the early 90s Infinity Gauntlet/War saga and all the crossover issues of comics, I was intrigued at the sometime villain, complex character that is Victor Von Doom. This book seemed to be the perfect chance to put some meat on the bones of this intriguing powerful character.
The book starts on Walpurgis night, as Doom looks towards the coming midsummer and his annual battle with Mephisto's forces of Hell as he tries to reclaim his mother's soul. Beaten once more, Doom hits on a plan to take the fight to Hell on his own terms.
Meanwhile, Doom's mother's previously defeated foe, a prince, seeks to take back control of the country, using terror attacks while Doom is distracted with his Hellish fight.
The story has some good characters, in the few people trusted with helping Doom to accomplish his plan (his mother's former ally and now recluse, a priest with heretical powers and his security chief) which help to tell the story. However, throughout the book we are treated to the same sense of mystery of the insides of Doom's mind that we see in the comics.
The book is good, an interesting one where an over-powered character is undone by refusing to delegate or being too egotistical, and it is something of a page-turner. But as a Doom-focused book, it left me wanting more.

I received an advance eARC of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening
Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening
Sana Takeda, Marjorie M. Liu | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.2 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
This novel follows Maika Halfwolf, a teenage girl who suffered immensely after her mother’s death. She has lost one hand, but because of some science experiment, she is possessed by something very powerful. I loved the mysterious and unique characters, that fit perfectly in this strange world the author created. I really liked Maika as well, she is a very strong female protagonist, and her journey is very violent but eventful.

The narrative is quite complex and layered as well. There are many things happening in this comics at once, and it is definitely an adult book, it contains plenty of bloody killings and swearwords. The plot travels to the past, explaining some of the events, and there are these useful lectures from the professor Tam Tam, explaining many things in the book, and it is told by a cat! &#x1f600; It has plenty of twists and turns and was an absolute pleasure to read.

So, to conclude, it is not a surprise that this series keeps winning many awards, the artwork is magnificent and the storytelling is impeccable. The characters are unique and mysterious and I loved the first book greatly. I know there will be 18 issues combined into one book and it will be released in July, and I will be saving hard to get it, it is too good to miss. &#x1f642; If you like fantasy comics, cats and very beautifully created characters, this book is definitely for you! Enjoy. &#x1f642;
  
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AT (1676 KP) rated Book Love in Books

Jul 19, 2019 (Updated Jul 19, 2019)  
Book Love
Book Love
Debbie Tung | 2019 | Comics & Graphic Novels
9
9.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is a quick must-read for anyone that's in love with books! Not every comic was spot-on, but they were pretty close! (Others were like looking in a mirror.) The comics are hilarious and true for those of us that love to read. I actually laughed out loud when I came to the one about places I keep my books. That's right, I laughed, right next to my little stack of books on the couch!
  
Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1
Josie and the Pussycats Vol. 1
Marguerite Bennett, Cameron DeOrdio, Audrey Mok | 2017 | Comics & Graphic Novels
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
At first, I wasn't sure if I'd like the new reboot of Josie and the Pussycats. I love Archie comics, but some of the new stuff hasn't been the best.
Luckily, they had the writing talents of Marguerite Bennett ,who is one of my favorite comic book writers.
I loved that Melody is still a little ditzy, but very intelligent. She became my favorite character throughout. Overall, the volume was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I read it.