REVIEW: Warship Jolly Roger, Book 1: No Turning Back by Sylvain Runberg (Author) & Miquel Montllo (Illustrator)

***(3) out of 5 stars

While “Warship Jolly Roger” was no “Firefly,” it was quite a bit better than I anticipated. I expected a story patterned after some pirate tale of the past, or a “Moby Dick” wannabe tale, or some such. But while it did have common elements of such classic adventure tales, the story seemed genuinely unique and original, with a fresh setting of its own. 

The main storyline centers on Confederation Commander Jon T. Munro, who is given a life sentence in prison for a war crime which he was forced to commit. As the action begins, he seizes the opportunity of someone else’s failed prison break to secure his own escape. Of course, this takes the assistance of a small ragtag group of fellow cons, all of whom prove to be interesting characters in their own right. 

There were a couple of points that were definite negatives for me. The switching back and forth in time from different perspectives is quite confusing; if I’d been aware of how much it would be used, I would have created a flow-chart when I started the book. Also, there was a considerable amount of violence, almost of which was quite gruesome and bloody; unnecessarily so, in my opinion. 

I was impressed with the general outline of the plot though, and intrigued by the characters. I am definitely curious to see where the story goes from here!

I received a free eBook version of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Time Trial #1 (The CHRONOS Files) by Rysa Walker (Creator), Heather Nuhfer (Writer), and Agustin Padilla (Illustrator)

****(4) out of 5 stars!

Having not ever read anything from Rysa Walker’s CHRONOS FILES universe, I was a bit lost reading this first issue of the new stand-alone comicbook series, even though it was obviously created with newbies like me in mind.  Basically, the entire episode was minimal back-story, trying to get the reader familiar with the main characters and their world.  But I found it rather lacking in that area; more depth - both about Clio and the other main players, as well as their world - would have been greatly appreciated.  Still, it was an enjoyable enough story, and the time-travel aspect is definitely appealing.   I anticipate that future issues will have much more actual plot, which I look forward to reading.  

The graphics are well done, clear and concise, for the most part; but no so overdone as to distract from the happenings.

I received a few copy of this Issue #1 from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Raising Dion # 1 by Dennis Liu (Writer) & Jason Piperberg (Illustrator)

****(4) out of 5 stars

This was a good opening comic with pleasing graphics. However, there was so much time devoted to the backstory that, other than the promo material, you don't even know what the story is actually supposed to be about! I hope that there are future editions though, and that this situation is remedied in them. It seems like a great premise:  Nicole, a young black woman, as a single parent, trying to raise her 7-year-old son, Dion, who has superpowers.  It would be good to see more of what Raising Dion is really all about.

I don't recall where I first heard of this book, but I received a FREE ebook copy - and you can as well! (at least as of the time of this posting) - at: www.dennis-liu.com. 

REVIEW: Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer

****(4) out of 5 stars!

The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking that the title was – and should have been – “Find Me.”  The presumed main plotline of the story was about Nadine, a girl who needed to be found and rescued in the present moment.  The tale that was the impetus for the given title of “Forgive Me,” while interesting, nonetheless seemed secondary at best.  Since it had occurred decades before, it just wasn’t as urgent as the matter at hand.  The way in which Angie just would not let it go was quite distracting and annoying.  In the end, all of her pushing didn’t serve much purpose, other than to prove her whole life a lie and get more people killed.  

The primary narrative about Nadine being sucked into the dark world of human trafficking and sexual slavery was quite a disturbing topic.  It was sad to watch how easily the perpetrators enticed and manipulated her and other young women into this horrible existence they found themselves trapped in.  All the stories and details about that life, while not extremely graphic, were definitely rather vivid, depicted in a very real and believable manner.  Although the whole aspect of Nadine being able to keep a journal not only updated, but also hidden the entire time, seemed rather corny and farfetched.

The switching of perspectives between Angie and Nadine was quite informative, but also rather irritating, especially when they occurred at different points in time.  While I found the entire book very engrossing and entertaining, I did find the many connections between the various players to be a bit too coincidental.  And, in general, there was just too much going on, too many subplots and conspiracies at once.

I did quite enjoy all of the main players, especially Angie’s various “& Associates.” I am intrigued to see if this remains a stand-alone book or if it becomes part of a series. I’d be interested to pursue other adventures with this private investor, and perhaps even learn, along with her, what became of the missing friend who inspired her career choice so many years ago. 

I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Cecil's Pride: The True Story of a Lion King by Craig, Juliana & Isabella Hatkoff, with photographs by Brent Stapelkamp

**** (4) out of 5 stars!

I loved this book!  It is so bittersweet to read though.  It brought so many feelings of anger and sadness from the manner in which Cecil died.  But the story itself, minus that part, was very interesting, quite informative and ultimately very touching.  

I loved that Cecil and Jericho formed not only an unlikely working alliance, but apparently a true friendship.  It was especially poignant that Jericho disappeared right after Cecil was killed, apparently to go looking for his missing buddy.  And it was very touching that Jericho, unlike most male lions who take over a pride, accepted and nurtured Cecil's cubs, rather than killing them.  

The accompanying pictures were beautiful and awe inspiring.  

The only thing I don't like much about these books by the Hatkoffs is when they switch from third person narrative near the end of the book, to a kind of preachy soapbox stance in first person.

REVIEW: The Frog in the Skyscraper by Faiz Kermani

**** (4) out of 5 stars

This is a cute little story about Frijibold the Frog. Instead of the ordinary life at the pond with his extended family, he longs to do something more grand, and hatches a plan to land in a new apartment building. Fate seems to smile on him… for a time. But he soon learns that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the road. This is a very good book for newly independent readers, or even as a read-aloud for younger children. The fairly short chapters make it easy to navigate; the language is straight forward and simple to follow. The occasional pictures are bright and fun. Kids will probably especially enjoy the menu for Mrs. Boggel’s Pond Paradise Café and its description of all the frog delicacies offered there.

I received a free copy of this eBook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

REVIEW: Eye of the Drone (Around the Globe with Suki & Finch, Wild Cats, #2) by Rebecca Merry Murdock

*** (3) out of 5 stars

This book is number two in a series.  It literally drops you right in the middle of the action.  (In the middle of a frozen river, no less – by Santa!)  With no background, it was hard to figure out what in the world was going on.  For readers of the first volume, I am sure that it made much more sense.  But, really, I wasn’t sure what the purpose of the kids’ exploits were, where they got their resources or funding, why they had passports but didn’t have them stamped from any of the countries they’d visited, and later it didn’t even sound like they were human – but I have no idea why.

The book itself though was very clever and unique.  I loved the use of real photographs as the background, especially scenes of wildlife and their habitats.  The little bits of information on many of the pages were quite interesting, whether about the topic at hand or some other related thing.

I think kids would love the multi-media format, especially in an eBook, which is how I read it (on an iPad).  If it comes in a print copy, I’m not sure that it would have the same effect.  Although I did have quite a bit of difficulty getting some of the more graphically heavy pages to load.

There were many inconsistencies that I found quite annoying.  Like how Suki says the iPad and solar pad aren’t working, and then shortly thereafter she is thrusting the iPad at Finch so that he can talk to his grandmother.  Not to mention that the entire episode of him being sick was just weird, especially if the kids are not in fact real humans.  I found it especially odd that everyone they saw either spoke English or they were magically able to translate every language that they heard.  Not to mention the one nightgown that Suki turned into heart decorations for tons of trees across several countries.  That is one big nightgown!

All of the fantasy type elements of the story detracted a bit from the information presented, at least for me.  But I could handle the talking animals and such, even Santa’s presence; but the woodland fairy was a bit too much.

Overall, the one word I would sum it up with is: Eh.  Not horrible, not wonderful, just somewhere in between.  But, again, I probably would have enjoyed it much more if I had read the first book in the series and had some idea of what was going on!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Castaways by David McDonald

**** (4) out of 5 stars!

A story with clear plot-lines, believable situations and straight-forward action. I could visualize the characters from the movie and hear the dialogue in their voices most of the time they were speaking, especially when they were interacting with one another. The only character who really seemed a bit lacking in this regard was Drax, but he also played a very small part compared to the other central characters. The explanation of the happenings on the planet was well thought out and plausible, although the final battle did seem a bit too easy. All in all though, a good, fun read!

I received a free eBook copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford, with illustrations by Jerome Lagarrigue

*** (3) out of 5 stars

I'm not partial to this type of artwork where everything just looks blurry and out of focus (like I forgot to put my glasses on before viewing), which is the main reason I didn't give this book a higher rating. 

But the story itself, about the sit-ins and other civil disobedience begun at the Woolworth's lunch counter by four young men in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 1st, 1960, and told from the perspective of an 8-year-old black girl, was very moving and very informative.  I wonder how many children and teens - or even adults - in our society today even know who are the Greensboro Four. 

The struggles experienced by the main characters of the story - not being allowed to use certain public facilities (i.e. lunch counters, water fountains, and especially bathrooms) - simply because of the color of their skin, are so poignant because of similar fights being waged today by others because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. 

I was especially happy that the book included references to those who had nothing to gain and much to lose by supporting the Greensboro Four and their efforts - such as the old white lady who told them loudly how proud she was of them.  And those caught in the middle who (probably like the majority of people at the time) didn't have strong feelings either way but were just trying to do their job and get along under the prevailing system - such as the waitress at the lunch counter who had to refuse them service. 

Definitely a book I would recommend to those wanting to learn, and a simple and straight-forward way, more about the happenings of the time.

REVIEW: The Promise (Scott James & Maggie, #2; Joe Pike, #5; Elvis Cole, #16) by Robert Crais

***** (5) out of 5 stars!

This is a great crime and mystery fiction book!  I read it as the second in the series about Scott James & his K9 partner Maggie.  Which I really hope there are more of in the future!  I just love these characters.  This is the first time that I've read an Elvis Cole or Joe Pike novel, but I think I may be checking out more of those as well. 

The story was compelling and surprising enough to retain some mystery through until almost the very end of the book.  (Although I did find it very hard to believe that practically no one guessed Amy Breslyn's true plan until well towards the climax.)  The writing style was such that it just kept drawing me on, making me not want to put the book down until it was done.

The book kept switching perspective among many of the major characters, including Maggie, which made it very interesting to get some idea of how each of them viewed things.  Most of this was done in third-person narrative mode.  But the chapters focused on Elvis Cole were instead first-person, which I just found confusing and annoying. 

Otherwise, however, it was a really good read, and one that I would definitely recommend!