Friday, November 17, 2017

Mini Book Reviews: Geekerella, Deep Dark Fears, Breaking, A.D. After Death


Hi and welcome back to my book blog!  Here are four mini reviews of some books I've read this year.  I've decided to post mini reviews from now on because it takes me forever to write up a full book review and I just like short reviews better.  Plus, I have a ton of reviews to get posted and this way was just easier for me.  Anyway, keep reading for my thoughts on some books I've read recently.  😁

Disclosure: Some of these books were from publishers via NetGalley or Edelweiss for review.  This did not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.   Please excuse my horrible grammar.  English was not my best subject in school 😓.  This post contains affiliate links.  I'm an Amazon affiliate and if you make a purchase through one of my links I may receive a small commission.  Book photos/synopsis from Goodreads.  Graphic novel illustration from Image Comics website.  All thoughts, opinions, and crazy ramblings are my own.


Geekerella
by Ashley Poston
Publication Date:  April 4, 2017
Publisher:  Quirk Books
Source:  Purchase
Format: ebook
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages:  320
Available Here:  AmazonKindle
My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
Would I Recommend?  YES!!


Synopsis:
Anything can happen once upon a con…

When geek girl Elle Wittimer sees a cosplay contest sponsored by the producers of Starfield, she has to enter. First prize is an invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. Elle’s been scraping together tips from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck behind her stepmother’s back, and winning this contest could be her ticket out once and for all—not to mention a fangirl’s dream come true.

Teen actor Darien Freeman is less than thrilled about this year’s ExcelsiCon. He used to live for conventions, but now they’re nothing but jaw-aching photo sessions and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Federation Prince Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the diehard Starfield fandom has already dismissed him as just another heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, closet nerd Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

My Thoughts: 

I love cute young adult contemporaries! Geekerella is an adorable YA Cinderella type story.

The thing that first drew me in and made me want to read this book was the awesome cover.  It's such a gorgeous book cover!  I also saw a ton of good reviews and the story sounded like something I'd really like.   I ended up loving this cute story.  

The book is told from two perspectives--Elle Wittimer, the fangirl obsessed with her favorite show Starfield, and Darien Freeman, the actor who gets the role of Prince Carmindor on Starfield.  Elle is not happy when she finds out that Darien will be playing the role of Prince Carmindor.  She thinks he's just an egocentric actor who doesn't fit the part.  Darien is tired of having to act like the "heartthrob" to his adoring yet rabid fans.  He wants something more out of life and he feels like he's living a lie.  These two characters may seem like total opposites at first, but they are more alike than either of them realize.   

Interesting characters and an adorable, swoon-worthy plot makes Geekerella one of my favorite reads of this year.  I definitely recommend checking this one out!


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Deep Dark Fears
by Fran Krause
Publication Date:  September 29, 2015
Publisher:  Ten Speed Press
Source:  Purchase
Format: Hardcover
Genre:  Graphic Novel
Pages:  144
Available Here:  AmazonKindle
My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 Stars)
Would I Recommend?  YES

Synopsis:
A charmingly creepy collection of 100 illustrated comics based on idiosyncratic and universal "deep dark fears."
We all have weird fears, from getting sliced to ribbons in subway station revolving gate to getting turned around by the wind while swimming and going too far out to sea. Based on the wildly popular eponymous Tumblr, Deep Dark Fears explores our odd, creepy, and hilariously singular fears. Animator, illustrator, and cartoonist Fran Krause brings these fears to life in vividly illustrated comics based on real fears submitted by readers (plus a few of his own). These "deep dark fears" run the gamut from unlikely but plausible to completely ridiculous, highlighting both our deeply human similarities and our peculiar uniquenesses.
My Thoughts:

What is your deepest, darkest fear? Clowns? Spiders? Elevators? The 2016 U.S. presidential election results?  (Sorry, but I couldn't resist adding that one)  😱 Personally, I'm scared of all kinds of things--too many to list here, but let me just say that I especially fear elevators, since I've gotten stuck on them numerous times with some weird ass people. There's nothing like being trapped in an elevator with some strange dude you've never spoken to-- awkward!  

Deep Dark Fears is a collection of illustrations depicting various "deep dark fears." Some of the fears are common, while others are completely outlandish and hysterical. I thought this was an interesting, creepy, and sometimes hilarious book.

I recommend reading this one. The illustrations perfectly depict some of our deep, dark fears and this was definitely an interesting read.


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Breaking
by Danielle Rollins
Publication Date:  June 6, 2017
Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source:  Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eARC
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Pages:  352
Available Here:  AmazonKindle
My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
Would I Recommend?  YES!

Synopsis:
Monsters lurk where you least expect…
Charlotte has always felt ordinary compared to her two best friends at the prestigious Weston Preparatory Institute. Not enigmatic and daring like Ariel or beautiful and brilliant like Devon, Charlotte has never quite met the standards of the school—or those of her demanding mother. But with Ariel and Devon by her side, none of that mattered. They became the family she never had.
Until the unthinkable happens—Ariel commits suicide. And less than a month later, so does Devon.
Everyone accepts the suicides as tragic coincidences, but Charlotte refuses to believe that. And when she finds mysterious clues left behind by Ariel, Charlotte is thrust down a path that leads to a dangerous secret about Weston Prep. There’s a reason Weston students are so exceptional, and the people responsible are willing to kill to protect the truth…
My Thoughts: 

Breaking was an enjoyable YA mystery/thriller.

This is the first book I've read by Danielle Rollins and it definitely won't be the last. This book had mystery, drama, action....all elements that make a great story. I thought the characters were so interesting and mysterious, especially Charlotte, Ariel, and Devon, and I loved the intriguing plot.

I didn't realize this book was a companion to Rollins' previous book, "Burning," but I don't think it matters in what order you read them. I own "Burning" and I'm looking forward to reading it soon, especially now that I've read and enjoyed Breaking.

This was a really good mystery/thriller that I would definitely recommend.  

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A.D. After Death
by Scott Snyder (writer) and Jeff Lemire (artist)
Publication Date:  July 4, 2017
Publisher:  Image Comics
Source:  Publisher via Edelweiss
Format: eARC
Genre:  Graphic Novel
Pages:  224
Available Here:  Image ComicsAmazonKindle
My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
Would I Recommend?  YES

Synopsis:
An original hardcover graphic novel from two of comics most acclaimed creators, Scott Snyder (Wytches, Batman, American Vampire) and Jeff Lemire (Descender, Extraordinary X-Men, Sweet Tooth).
A.D.: After Death is set in a future where a genetic cure for death has been found and now, years later, one man starts to question everything, leading him on a mind-bending journey that will bring him face-to-face with his past and his own mortality.
A unique combination of comics, prose and illustration, A.D.: After Death is a experience like nothing else.
My Thoughts:

A.D. After Death had an edgy, dystopian storyline, unique format (composed of comics, illustration, and prose), and awesome artwork. This is one of the most original graphic novels that I've read in a while.

The story, written by Scott Snyder, was very interesting and held my attention, and the amazing, realistic artwork by Jeff Lemire added a lot to the story.  I also loved the watercolor look of the illustrations! 😍

(A.D. After Death illustration taken from Image Comics website)
I definitely recommend checking out this unique graphic novel.
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