Monstress: Volume One by Marjorie M. Liu

 

Monstress: Volume One by  Marjorie M. Liu (Author), Sana Takeda (Illustrator)

Release Date - July 19, 2016

Publisher Website - Image Comics

Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 202 pages
My Rating - 3/5

**Borrowed**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers. Collects MONSTRESS #1-6 

Monstress is a dark steampunk fantasy read that is filled with captivating illustrations and robust world building. It however will not be for everyone, and that is entirely okay.

The plot is dense, and convoluted. It may end up being hard for some to follow. It has flashbacks and jumps you right into the story leaving the reader in the position of having to catch up quick. If this suits your reading style you will love it. It asks a lot of the reader but rewards them for it.

The characters are easy to become invested in. It is through them, and not the plot, that I found my entry in to the story. Kappa is my favourite character. She is an adorable character and seems so purely good in this volume. She is also drawn to be very cute (she is part fox). All of the characters are compelling though and I expect most readers will love them and all their complexity.

The art stands out in this one. It is beautifully done with a colour palette that works with the story being told. The illustration style works cohesively with the plot to create an even more impressive reading experience.

I am not sure if I will continue with this one. I personally did not connect with the story as much as plenty of others have. It feels like this is very much a me issue as it has plenty of rave review. I left this one thinking it was just okay. If dark steampunk fantasy reads are your thing this is for you.

Waiting on Wednesday ... I'm the Girl

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

The new groundbreaking queer thriller from New York Times bestselling and Edgar-award Winning author Courtney Summers.

When sixteen-year-old Georgia Avis discovers the dead body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, she teams up with Ashley's older sister, Nora, to find and bring the killer to justice before he strikes again. But their investigation throws Georgia into a world of unimaginable privilege and wealth, without conscience or consequence, and as Ashley’s killer closes in, Georgia will discover when money, power and beauty rule, it might not be a matter of who is guilty—but who is guiltiest.

A spiritual successor to the 2018 breakout hit, Sadie, I'm the Girl is a masterfully written, bold, and unflinching account of how one young woman feels in her body as she struggles to navigate a deadly and predatory power structure while asking readers one question: if this is the way the world is, do you accept it?

Courtney Summers is a must read author for me and each thing I learn about this particular book makes me want to get my hands on it even more.

This seems to be right in line with her previous work. She has mentioned in teasers for this book that it does reflect the world that allowed Jeffrey Epstein to happen and in her words it is 'coming for its throat'. I anticipate that this will be a hard but striking read. 

This comes out in the fall which is the perfect season for a new Courtney Summers book in my opinion. If you haven't read anything by Courtney Summers before I highly recommend you do while waiting for this to release.

Expected release date - September 13, 2022

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - Oscar Predictions 2022

 

It is Oscar weekend and that means sharing my predictions for the big categories. 

Sadly the official Academy twitter account did not provide a fun little graphic like they have done previously, so I am just going to share each of the categories along with my picks.

First up:

Will Win: Coda or The Power of the Dog

Personal Preference: West Side Story

I only watched Coda recently, but definitely enjoyed it. It's a cute, heartwarming, feel good movie. It has had a surge recently and I think it is mostly likely our winner. The Power of the Dog could be the upset as it still has quite a bit of support and has held its place as a frontrunner almost all season.

My favourite of all the movies I watched was West Side Story though. I love so much about it and the cast is nearly perfection (minus an obvious exception). The cinematography and direction are both incredible.

Will Win: Jane Campion

Personal Preference: Steven Speilberg

Jane Campion has been cleaning up all season. I expect she'll win again here. She is the first women to be nominated for the directing Oscar twice and she would be only the third woman to win which is exciting. I can't even think who else might win here.

I loved so much about West Side Story and a lot of that is due to Steven Spielberg's directing. There are so many shots that are breathtaking and all of the elements came together for me.

Will Win: Jessica Chastain (possible Penelope Cruz upset)

Personal Preference: Jessica Chastain

This is one where my personal favourite matches who I think will win. Jessica Chastain gave an incredible performance in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and she would be worthy of the win here. I could also see Penelope Cruz winning but I give the edge to Jessica Chastain. 

Will Win: Will Smith

Personal Preference: Andrew Garfield

Will Smith is good in King Richard and I think he'll walk away with the award on Sunday. He isn't my favourite out of the nominees but I certainly won't be surprised or upset if he wins.

I personally loved Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick, ..... BOOM! and wish he would be the winner. He captured the essence of Jonathan Larson. It's his performance out of all of them that has really stayed with me.

Will Win: Troy Kotsur or Kodi Smit-McPhee

Personal Preference: Kodi Smit-McPhee

I am torn on this category. Kodi Smit-McPhee has been cleaning up the awards all season but there has been a surge behind Troy Kotsur recently that is hard to ignore. I think this one is going to be close and I am giving the slight edge to Troy Kotsur at this point. If I had to pick between the two it would be Troy Kotsur. His performance in Coda is wonderful and I can see why he would win.

Kodi Smit-McPhee's performance in The Power of the Dog is my personal favourite though. The end of the movie rests on his shoulders and he pulls it off. It is the type of performance that makes you want to watch the movie again to catch the nuances.

Will Win: Ariana DeBose

Personal Preference: Ariana DeBose

This is one where my personal favorite also matches who I think will win. Ariana DeBose steals every scene she is in as Anita. It's an electric performance and I immediately told my friend after watching it that I would be mad if she and Mike Faist were not nominated in the supporting categories for the Oscars (sadly Mike Faist was not nominated).

Are you watching the Oscars this Sunday? What is your choice to win Best Picture? Let me know in the comments. 

Waiting on Wednesday ... Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This was supposed to automatically post yesterday but did not post so I am sharing today.

This week's pick is Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

From USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game Sally Thorne comes something a little unexpected... a historical rom-com that imagines Victor Frankenstein's sheltered younger sister, and her attempts to create the perfect man.

For generations, every Frankenstein has found their true love and equal, unlocking lifetimes of blissful wedded adventure. Clever, pretty (and odd) Angelika Frankenstein has run out of suitors and fears she may become the exception to this family rule. When assisting in her brother Victor's ground-breaking experiment to bring a reassembled man back to life, she realizes that having an agreeable gentleman convalescing in the guest suite might be a chance to let a man get to know the real her. For the first time, Angelika embarks upon a project that is all her own.

When her handsome scientific miracle sits up on the lab table, her hopes for an instant romantic connection are thrown into disarray. Her resurrected beau (named Will for the moment) has total amnesia and is solely focused on uncovering his true identity. Trying to ignore their heart-pounding chemistry, Angelika reluctantly joins the investigation into his past, hoping it will bring them closer. But when a second suitor emerges to aid their quest, Angelika wonders if she was too hasty inventing a solution. Perhaps fate is not something that can be influenced in a laboratory? Or is Will (or whatever his name is!) her dream man, tailored for her in every way? And can he survive what was done to him in the name of science, and love?

Filled with carriages, candlesticks, and corpses, Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match is the spooky-season reimagining of the well-known classic that reminds us to never judge a man by his cadaver!

I love a good twist on the Frankenstein tale and I absolutely love Sally Thorne put her rom-com twist on it.

The synopsis definitely sold me on picking this one up for the spooky season. It feels a little lighter, but still seasonal. I can easily see drinking my favourite pumpkin spice drink while enjoying this.

I have enjoyed Sally's previous books so I cannot wait to get my hands on her first historically set read.

Expected release date - September 6, 2022

'tis the damn readathon update!

You may have seen my previous posts talking about talking part in a month long readathon inspired by Taylor Swift and her music. This readathon, called 'tis the damn readathon, has just passed the midway point and I thought an update was in order.

Here is the list of my choices and the prompts. I have crossed out that ones that I have completed at this point in the readathon.

The prompt I chose for Taylor Swift is Read a Memoir (because the album is self titled) and the book I chose for this prompt is Open Book by Jessica Simpson.

The prompt I chose for Fearless is Fifteen: Read A YA Book and the book I chose for this prompt is Fresh by Margot Wood. 

The prompt I chose for Speak Now is If This Was a Movie: Read a book with a film adaptation and the book I selected for this is Marry Me by Bobby Crosby. 

The prompt I selected for Red is Read a Book With Red On the Cover and the book selection is Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz.

The prompt I chose for 1989 is Shake It Off: Make a cocktail/mocktail and I am going to make a Malibu Pineapple cocktail and will share photos on my Instagram.

Next, for Reputation I chose the prompt  Look What You Made Me Do: Read a book that's been recommended. The book selection for this is Monstress by by Marjorie M. Liu.

The prompt I picked for Lover is You Need To Calm Down: Do some self- care. I am going to spend on weekend day reading with some of my favourite snacks, a nice bath bomb, face mask and other things I love.

The prompt I selected for folklore is Exile: Read a book written by two authors and the book selection is Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren.

Lastly, for evermore I selected the prompt of No Body No Crime: Read a mystery or thriller and the book choice is The Night Shift by Alex Finlay.

My Malibu Pineapple drink was delicious (Pineapple Bubly, Malibu Rum, and coconut water). I loved that I was able to find a book shaped bath bomb for this as well. I am only three away from completing this readathon. I am going to focus the next week to reading and pretty much ignore everything else. 

Have you taken part in a readathon before? What did you like about it? What are some of your favourite ones to take part in? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday .. The House Across The Lake

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This was supposed to post yesterday but Blogger decided not to post it so I am posting it today. 

This week's pick is The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

New York Times bestselling author Riley Sager ("a master of the twist and the turn"*) is back with his most unexpected thriller yet.

*Rolling Stone

It looks like a familiar story: A woman reeling from a great loss with too much time on her hands and too much booze in her glass watches her neighbors, sees things she shouldn't see, and starts to suspect the worst. But looks can be deceiving. . . .

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to her family's lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple living in the house across the lake.

Everything about the Royces seems perfect. Their marriage. Their house. The bucolic lake it sits beside. But when Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she discovers the darker truths lurking just beneath the surface of the Royces' picture-perfect marriage. Truths no suspicious voyeur could begin to imagine--even with a few drinks under her belt.

Like Casey, you'll think you know where this story is headed.

Think again.

Because once you open the door to obsession, you never know what you might find on the other side.

I have enjoyed a lot of Riley Sager's previous books (Survive The Night is my particular favourite) and I am very curious to see what he does with this particular trope. 

We've all read the book where the unreliable narrator sees a murder happen across the way. It's a trope that has been done again and again (with Rear Window coming to mind as one of the best. It is often mixed with a main character who drinks too much (and is usually a woman). I am not sure that there is anything new or different that can be done with this trope, but I am intrigued by the synopsis teasing that we do not know where this story is headed.

This is a perfect fit for a beach read and its June release pairs perfectly with it being tossed in that beach tote. 

Expected release date - June 21, 2022

Marry Me by Bobby Crosby

 

Marry Me by Bobby Crosby

Release Date - October 20, 2010

Publisher Website - Keenspot

Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 27 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**Own**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The question goes POP in this spectacular first issue!

Stasia Tyler is your everyday, ordinary, world-famous pop star, frustrated with her love life and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. One night at a concert in Oklahoma she shocks the world by accepting the proposal of a random audience member holding a 'Marry Me' sign, forever changing the life of a high school guidance counselor named Guy.

I have been dipping my toe in to graphic novels and this one has a fun, quirky premise. A pop star who is disillusioned with her romantic life and decides, on a whim, to marry a man in the audience.

This review is going to be short and sweet which is kind of like this graphic novel. At 27 pages this is a super fast read that doesn't really leave a lot to discuss or dissect. 

The art style is fun and bright which matches the plot's tone. They work together to create something that is a fast and fluffy read. It isn't something I found myself lingering over while I was reading but it is a great fit for the story being told.

This is not big on character development, st least not in this first volume, and so I did not find myself invested in the characters. I also found the plot pretty surface level. I cannot say that it remains that way as the story progresses but there was not a lot in here that was pulling me back in. 

There are a few moments in which the sparks between the two main characters are felt. These little moments make me think that the romance could be the element that worked for me as the story progresses. I love that this is a story of them getting to know each other and wish that had been explored even more. It was one of the bright spots in this.

There is a great premise here for a rom-com movie and you can see why it was adapted. I think that it, for me, perhaps worked better as a film. That medium allowed for the story to connect a little better.

If you are looking for something that you can easily consume in an afternoon and want it to be a light read without a lot of commitment this fits the bill. It isn't something that will leave you thinking about it after you finish but is certain enjoyable for what it is.