Week 15 Reviews-

☃️ Week 15 Reviews

December 9th- 15th 🎄

Book 1: Descender: The Deluxe Edition Volume 1
by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Illustrator)

(Volumes 1-3/ 

Issues 1-16)  
Read December 13th, 2017

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A Short Synopsis

A young robot boy named TIM-21 is a companion robot of a boy named Andy. In a universe where androids have blown to pieces the way of life for many, the robots are outlawed and hunted by bounty hunters. The graphic novel follows along with Tim and his companions as they struggle to stay alive in a universe with so much war.

The first issue opens before the war, when a group of planet-sized robots, called the Harvesters, come and destroy the way of life of the civilization. We skip ahead ten years and meet TIM-21 who has been asleep for the past ten years. Him and “his family” lived on a mining development. He slowly finds out what has happened since he was “sleeping” and is trying to find his companion and his mother. Bounty hunters come and attack him and the adventure continues from there. 

The Writing
The writing style of each issue in this deluxe edition is quite interesting. I really liked how the writer relieved information throughout the story. As we get introduced to more characters we slowly learn more and more about their identities and their backstories. As the series continues on more and more reveals to come out in the writing. The story never feels bogged down with this information though and it all feels essential to get to know the characters and where they are coming from.


Another aspect of the writing that really sticks out throughout is the characters. We follow along TIM-21 throughout the entire piece but also his companions. Each is developed and has characteristics that make them intriguing to continue to read about. The characters range from humans, many sorts of alien races, and many types of robots. Each has their own motivations in the wars and struggles that have been happening since The Harvesters came and destroyed many of their lives. The integral part of the overarching story is the fact there are both good and bad characters on both sides of the battle. Not all of the androids have done horrible things but not all of the humans and aliens can be trusted at face value. The idea of grey areas of thinking can be seen throughout the entire story. Neither side can be considered either good or evil.

The Art, Colouring, and Lettering
What really drew me to this graphic novel from the very first page was the magnificent illustrations. The art style is beyond beautiful and was stunning to look at, even with some of the more grotesque scenes. Each panel has a simplistic painted background that really helps each of the characters and other details to come alive over it. The watercolor feel to each panel makes a stunning story stand out even more.


Many of the different characters get different types of lettering depending on who they are. The aliens and the humans have one type and then many of the androids will get a more synthetic type of font. The only android that seems to not is Tim. Tim is one of the androids that is humanized more and also, we are meant to symphonize with his character.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this as an incredibly made series that I cannot wait to continue on with. I enjoyed reading about everything that has happened in this universe since The Harvesters had started wreaking havoc. Each character was complex and brought different sides to this story that made it a joy to continue to read. With a great mixture of story development and stunning graphics, this is a graphic novel that I cannot recommend enough. If you are a science fiction fan I would say that you should pick it up. I believe that you will be impressed by it.

*I was given a copy of this graphic novel
 for free for an honest review.*

Book 2: Elsewhere Volume 1
 by Jay Faerber (Story), 
Sumeyye Kesgin (Art), Ron Riley (Art)

(Issues 1-4)
Read December 15th, 2017

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A Short Synopsis
The mystery of where Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, ended up in her famous flight has been something that has many puzzled over the years since. Nobody really does know what did ever happen to her.

Elsewhere takes that idea and brings Amelia Earhart to an alien world that she never expected. During her famous flight, Amelia goes through a portal into another world altogether and meets two aliens, Cort and Tavel, who save her from a tree. She wants to find her companion Fred and from the information Cort and Tavel, she believes that Lord Kragen may have him. Lord Kragen is the villain who has been capturing the rebellion and putting them in jail. She with the help of her new friends tries to find her companion but slowly finds out that nothing is what she expected. Lord Kragen has grown very interested in her and will stop at nothing to have her in his clutches.

Writing Style
The story in Elsewhere is developed well and was fascinating to learn about. It was a great adventure with characters you really root for especially Amelia. I felt that the story did get predictable near the end though and that brought the overall story down for me. From the end of the first issue I had figured out the ending and that detracted from the overall impact of it. Also, I would have liked to get more information about this world especially about the villain Lord Kragen. The information we do get is a great part of this tale but I would have liked to have some more. This might be in future volumes and it does make me want to them, which is a good thing.

The Art/ Colouring/ Lettering
The visuals were definitely the best part of this graphic novel. This intricate world that was created is appealing to look at and was quite engrossing. I could look at some of these illustrations again and again. The structures especially at Lord Kragens’ just really stand out and bring some magic into the story. In regards to lettering, this aspect does not really stand out but looks nice visually with the illustrations throughout the entire piece. The visuals gave at least to me, the impression that this world can be expanded upon greatly for future installments. This is a world that I would like to see much more of and I hope that it will even get more and more details in a continuation.

Final Thoughts 
Overall, this was a solid piece that I enjoyed delving into. The characters were good especially Amelia and the world that was created was one of the best parts. Really, the major aspect that detracts from it is the predictability of the story and also the lack of solid information. If we get more development in the actual story arc this could be an incredible piece but that is not saying that I did not enjoy reading this. I just really wanted more to it that I didn’t get.

 I really hope that this will be expanded on in future installments because this really is an idea of a story that stood out to me. Historical fiction that plays with fantasy/ science fiction has always interested me and Amelia Earhart’s story is something that always seemed fascinating to me too. One final point that I would like to touch on is the idea of the other humans who have come to this alien world. I really hope that aspect is continued on and we learn more about them. That would be a good continuation.

*I was given a copy of this graphic novel
 for free for an honest review.*

Friday Reviews Week 9

🍁 Friday Reviews Week 9: 🍁
October 28th- November 3rd 

🍂 Book 1: Lumberjanes Vol: 2 by 

Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, 

Maarta Laiho, and Brooke A. Allen

Read November 1st, 2017 🍂

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The second installment in the Lumberjanes graphic novel series. This was just as cute with the stories as the first. I'm really having a great time reading these. I'll probably continue to read one each week. One of the best parts of this one was the addition of Greek Mythology into the story. Usually, if something has Greek Mythology in it, that is something that makes me like it more. I thought that the humor brought in with this element, especially with Issue 8, made this for me. Each of the issues in this volume was about equal for me besides issue 7.  That one was my favorite. I'm glad that their camp counselor Jen, is now going on their adventures with them. She is one of the best characters in this series with her always knowing everything. 

Issue 5: 📚📚📚📚
Issue 6: 📚📚📚📚
Issue 7: 📚📚📚📚📚
Issue 8: 📚📚📚📚

Here's a link to all of my other posts on the Lumberjanes series: Lumberjanes Series

🍂 Book 2: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Read October 30th- November 2nd, 2017 🍂

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The sixth book in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and the second in the Witches subseries. This book is part of the overall series but can be read on its own. If you are new to the Discworld series or would like to know more about it you can use this link to see my other posts on them: Terry Pratchett's Discworld

This book reintroduces Granny Weatherwax. It also introduces two other witches Nanny Ogg, the matriarch of a large tribe of Oggs and the owner of the "most evil" cat ever, and also Magrat Garlick, a junior witch, who firmly believes in all things of the occult. This annoys the other two older witches greatly. The three witches/ wyrd sisters are the main characters of this book.

A Short Synopsis

"As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: 'When shall we three meet again?' 

There was a pause.

Finally, another voice said, in far more ordinary tones: 'Well, I can do next Tuesday.'"

This book parodies many of Shakespeare's plays: Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear. It borrows themes from each of these plays to help form this story. The book starts with the witches deciding on a time to meet. Magrat wants to start a witch coven with the other witches because she believes that this is what is meant to be done. "Granny" Esmerelda Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, who are much older witches do not really care for this sort of way of using magic. Throughout the whole book, we see them try to teach her the ways of magic and also learning from her. 

We then find out that the king of the land, King Verence has been killed by his cousin who wanted to take the kingdom for himself. Instead of being left to die peacefully, King Verence becomes a ghost and will remain a ghost until he fulfills his destiny. His cousin, Felmet was guided by his wicked wife to murder Verence for the throne (Terry really has fun with making the duke's wife).  Over the course of the novel, we see him trying to keep hold of the kingdom, while he slips into insanity. A major hindrance for him, at least as he believes, is the witches. He does not realize though that the witches really do not like getting into politics. Also, that witches are not actually what he believes.

After the witches are given the son of King Verence with a crown by mistake, they know that they have to find him a home. This is until he can take his rightful place on the throne. They know that it will eventually be his destiny to take over the throne. He is given to a troupe of theatre performers and the witches hide his crown in prop boxes. The story continues on from there to hilarious and strange places.

Overall Thoughts  

"'Ah,' said Nanny. She took the girl's (Magrat) arm. 'The thing is,' she explained, 'as you progress in the Craft, you'll learn there is another rule. Esme's obeyed it all her life.' 

'And what's that?'

'When you break rules, break 'em good and hard,' said Nanny, and grinned a set of gums that were more menacing than teeth." 

First of all, I have always thought Lady Macbeth was bad, well the duchess could give her a run for her money. She's just as manipulative, but more in a humorous way.  I don't find her to be as mad as Lady Macbeth though. Her husband, on the other hand, has completely lost any touch with his sanity. This is where the King Lear elements fall into play. The duke is followed along by his loyal Fool, who is probably the most sensible person on the duke's side. 

I love when an author uses themes from other stories and makes them their own. I have always been a fan of Shakespeare's plays, especially Macbeth and Hamlet. It was great being able to recognize the references to his plays throughout the book and made the scenes even funnier. Where it diverges from the original source material is what makes this book for me. I enjoyed getting to know each of the witches and seeing their relationship with each other and others. Granny Weatherwax became one of my favorite characters ever in Equal Rites and this book has just solidified that for me. All of the witches are so complex and intriguing. I cannot wait to read the other books with them. 

Also, the scene with Death near the end of this book is my favorite. I will never get enough of Death as a character. He's the best. I would write out the whole scene here, but it would spoil the book. I will put one quick quote though. 

"This worried Death. He was used to people claiming that they were not dead, because death always came as a shock, and a lot of people have some trouble getting over it. But people claiming that they were dead with every breath in their body was a new and unsettling experience." - Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. 

By all means, you don't have to have read any of the plays I mentioned to read this book. I believe that you would still enjoy it. But I do feel that many of the jokes that Terry Pratchett uses in this book are funnier because of my knowledge of these plays.

I cannot recommend this series enough. It may seem intimidating, but really it isn't once you get into it. You can really start it anywhere you want and you won't really miss anything. Each of the books stands on their own for the most part. I hope you enjoy Terry Pratchett's Discworld if you do decide to pick any of them up. I know that I do. 

🍂 Book 3: The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo 

Read November 3rd-4th, 2017 🍂

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Yay! 

I'm not surprised that I really loved this book of short stories. Last year, I fell in love with Leigh's writing in her Six of Crows Duology, which I read over a course of two days. I have yet to read the Shadow and Bone trilogy, but I will be picking it up when I have time to marathon a whole series (I know I won't be able to put them down). 

Leigh has created such a detailed world in her Grishaverse and I cannot wait to see what else she comes out with in the future. This book has six short stories that I will further talk about below. Overall, each of the stories helps create a different view into this world with wonderfully atmospheric writing, and illustrations that build into a full two-page illustration. I have never seen a book that each page built the end illustration more and more as you went. It was a great idea and those illustrations were beyond stunning, just like the stories they were for. 

"Ayama and the Thorn Wood": 📚📚📚📚📚
Sort of a twist on the myth of the Minator, with a half-wolf man. I loved how this story and all of the others felt like the some of the original fairy tales (Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson). I could see this one especially being thought of as classic fairy tale. It was similar in elements such as the tales that Ayama tells. This was a great start to the collection.

"The Too-Clever Fox": 📚📚📚📚📚
Following along with Koja, the fox, was an enjoyable experience. I liked seeing him outsmart other creatures and using his cleverness to his advantage. The message at the end of this story was also a nice touch. It (I'm going to repeat myself) felt like a fairy tale in this aspect. Also, I was not expecting the ending.

"The Witch of Duva": 📚📚📚📚📚
A take on "Hansel and Gretel". In the author's note, Leigh talks about this story among the others. It's funny because I completely agree with her take on the original tale. This tale flips that one and really makes you think about the real villain in the tale. I loved seeing her twist on this story.

"Little Knife": 📚📚📚📚
A short tale, of a beautiful young woman whose father, is trying to find the perfect husband for her. He makes many men do all sorts of tasks to try and win her hand. Her father definitely felt like a father out of a fairy tale. I really liked Yeva, the beautiful young woman in this.

"The Soldier Prince":📚📚📚📚📚
I really thought that this take on the Nutcracker story and somewhat of The Velveteen Rabbit was one of the best. These are both stories that I have known since I was very young and have enjoyed. It was based on those stories, but with more of a focus on the Nutcracker as a being. This is a retelling that I could not get enough of.

"When Water Sang Fire": 📚📚📚📚📚
This story was probably my favorite. I love mermaid stories and have been looking for a good book about mermaids for quite some time. The lore of this world that she creates is some of the most interesting that I have ever read. I loved the use of magic through music. It's perfect for mermaids. Then the ending...man that ending. I love the connection to The Little Mermaid that she made with this story (I adore The Little Mermaid with all my heart). I will not go into details about that but it thrilled me. What a great ending to the collection!

I have now realized even more how hard it is going to be for me to pick favorites this year. The list will probably have about twenty books. There have just been so many great ones and this is one of the best. If you love great fantasy books, Leigh's books, or just a great story, in general, you should read these stories. They are each quick and beautifully illustrated. The best part though is the writing that to me is what makes Leigh's books so incredible. Read this, I don't believe you will regret it.

Friday Reviews Week 7

🍂 Friday Reviews Week 7: 

October 14th- 20th, 2017 🍂

This has been the week of graphic novels. I have started other books but here are the ones that I finished. 

🍁 Book 1: Star Wars- Tag & Bink Were Here 🍁

by Kevin Rubio and Lucas Marrangon

Read October 16th, 2017

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A parody of the first six Star Wars movies. We follow along Tag and Bink as they traverse the galaxy. It starts with them minding their own business on Princess Leia's ship until the ship gets boarded by Darth Vader and the stormtroopers. Instead of dying they choose to borrow the armor of a pair of dead stormtroopers and their adventures really begin.

This book chronicles their adventures as we see many of the scenes from the Star Wars movies 4-6 and then 1-3. I enjoyed how this book basically makes Tag and Bink the reason why many of the events happen. For instance, Anakin's horrible love dialogue in Attack of the Clones, that's their fault.

This bind-up is a humorous take on the Star Wars movies that I enjoyed. I have heard of Tag and Bink previously and I was glad to have the chance to read their stories. 

🍁 Book 2: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales 🍁
by Joss Whedon, Amber Benson, Jane Espenson,
Sam Loeb, Doug Petrie, etc.

Read October 18th-19th, 2017
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I went into this volume expecting it to have more tales about Buffy and her gang. There were a couple but most were on other slayers from the past and also vampires. Many of the tales in this book were interesting and each had their own specific art style. Some of the art styles were great and then others were not as great for me.

My favorite tales from this bind-up are

"Numb"- which dealt with some of Angel's struggles as a vampire with a soul.

"Spot the Vampire"- this shows an image and then shows each person and you are meant to pick out who the vampire is. It was cute with the rhymes which made it feel like a Dr. Seuss story. Also, the illustrations were beautiful.

Tales of the Slayers: "Broken Bottle of Djinn"- This was a story set in Buffy's time period and had very cute illustrations. It's just a classic Buffy style mission. Buffy is trying to live through a normal day in high school, in this case, a Chem lab, and then she has to save the day from a demon attacking the school. It's cute short read that I loved.


I did like some of the other stories but they were not as good as the ones that I mentioned above. I did like that we got to learn about many of the previous slayers back from the first slayer. Altogether this is a good collection of short graphic stories set in the Buffy universe.

🍁 Book 3: Lumberjanes Volume 1: 🍁
Beware the Kitten Holy

Issues 1-4

by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, 

Grace Ellis, and Brooke A. Allen

Read October 19-20th, 2017

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Lumberjanes is about a group of five girls that go to Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for hard-core lady-types. This camp is not what it seems though. In this first volume, we see yetis, three-eyed foxes, talking statues, secret caves, and anagrams that the girls have to figure out. Our main characters are young teen girls, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley, who share a cabin together. These four issues chronicle the adventures of the girls as they try to enjoy camp together but also explore what is going on around them.

This graphic novel deals with a lot of supernatural creatures that the girls keep witnessing. The mystery that keeps expanding as the issues continue is intriguing to read about. The girls make a point of saying that the camp is more than they expected. I really love how the girls have to use what they have learned to get out of their troubles. Their friendship is the best part of this series and how they actually work together. It will be great to see how their friendship evolves more over the course of the series. My favorite issue so far has been issue three.

Issue 1: 📚📚📚📚

Issue 2: 📚📚📚📚

Issue 3: 📚📚📚📚📚

Issue 4: 📚📚📚📚

I will be continuing on with the series and I cannot wait to see what will happen next. 

Friday Reviews 3: September 16th- 22nd

🍁 Friday Reviews Week 3: September 16th- 22nd, 2017 🍁

🍂 Book 1: The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner 🍂

Read September 16th-18th

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This is the story of a sixteen-year-old named Kyle Donohue, who on September 11th, 2001, watches from his high school the first twin towers come down. On his way home after the students are evacuated, he comes across a girl covered in ash wearing costume wings. He decides to take the girl home. Both of his parents are not there, his mother is in California with his younger sister and his father is part of the Joint Terrorist Task Force and is helping at the disaster. Kyle finds out that the girl does not remember who she is and he decides to try and help her. This is their story as they deal with the disaster happening around them.

First, I want to mention how incredible this novel was. It pulled on my heartstrings countless times and had me wondering what was going to happen next for this family. Kyle is a young man having to deal with a lot of stress and tragedy in a short amount of time in the novel. He does not know what is going to happen to his dad, his mother, sister, or himself. Gae Polisner does an incredible job creating this atmosphere that carries throughout the whole novel. I really related to Kyle even though I have never experienced something quite like this. Many of us can say where we were on September 11th. I was in second grade at the time and I have vague memories of it all. I could never imagine what it felt like to actually be there.

It was hard to read this book at times because of how heartbreaking it really was. 

Another aspect of this book that I would like to talk about, is the style Polisner wrote in. This book is told in prose and also in verse. It was interesting to get the two different perspectives, Kyle's and the girl's, in such a way. This could get jarring though at times. I loved seeing this story in such a way and learning little bits and pieces from both of their lives. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a whole. It was a hard-hitting story that touched me and I really felt for both of the characters. Their story is definitely one that I would recommend. 

Also, the memory technique used in the book was really awesome. I wish I would have known about it when I was still in school myself. It would have come in handy. I still remember all ten of the items. This is one that I'll have to let students know about. 

🍂 Book 2: Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: 🍂

Special Collector's Manga by Jun Asuka

Read September 19th

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This is a manga version of the 1993 movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Jack Skellington, the ruler of a Halloween centric world, called Halloween Town, comes across a door that leads him into a new world. A world that shows him the joys of Christmas, Christmas Town. Jack wants to replicate this world in his own world because he is becoming bored of the constant repetition. He has all of his citizens work together to create the holiday and this is when problems ensue.  

I liked the overall premise of the story. When I was a child, I saw this movie but did not remember most of it when I read this book. I do remember that it creeped me out though. This was an interesting manga. 

I love the Pumpkin King. Jack's innocence when he found out about Christmas and how he wanted to recreate the joyful feelings of it was enduring. The way he goes about accomplishing this is not the best idea but he just wanted to spread the Christmas feeling. 

The artwork was nice to look at. It was reminiscent of the style of the movie, just in black and white. The style was nice but it loses some of the magic without the stop-motion animation and the music.

 I'll have to watch the movie again to compare it to this. If you are interested in this manga I would pick it up. I don't feel that it would disappoint a fan of the movie. 

This is definitely an interesting concept and I think that it would be cool to see the other doorways in the forest that Jack comes across. I would watch those movies. Let's have Jack go into another door and become obsessed with St. Patrick's Day or Easter. 

Also, I'm going to be watching the movie this weekend and doing a review on that. 

* I received a copy of this from Netgalley for an honest review. *

🍂 Book 3: The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid by Geronimo Stilton 🍂
Read September 21st, 2017
Release Date: October 19th, 2017
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I first read this book back when I was around eleven or twelve. This was when I was still in elementary school. I remember signing out many of the Geronimo Stilton books from the library that year and I adored them. I thought that Geronimo's job at the paper was cool and I was so interested in exploring the world someday. 

Now this book is being re-released in October for a new generation. 

I will say that yes, I am feeling nostalgic when I read this book. It was very cute and funny. I enjoyed the characters especially the ridiculous grandfather of Geronimo, who would give Scrooge a run for his money. Also, the mouse-related puns were adorably cute. I wanted to pick up this book for the nostalgia and I'm happy that I did. 

This is a perfect book for middle-grade students. They will get a great story and also learn about ancient Egypt. I recommend it. I know that my younger self would be happy to know that there are still books coming out from this series. 

*I received a copy of this from Netgalley for an honest review. *

🍂 Book 4: The Library of Souls by Richard Denney 🍂

Read September 22nd, 2017
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I first found Richard on Youtube about a year and a half ago. His Booktube channel interested me. I have always loved reading so many different genres and middle-grade novels are some of my favorites. Richard has been promoting his book on his channel throughout the year and I was excited to pick it up. I'm glad I did. 

The main character of the novel is Simon Santiago, a thirteen-year-old boy who lost his parents in a train accident when he was nine. He is sent to live with his uncle Monty, who uses Simon. Simon can see and speak to the dead. So his uncle has created an agency, where Simon expells the ghosts and his uncle gets all of the credit. His uncle gets them a job at an old library that is known to be haunted. The library has had many people die throughout the years and Simon's job is to go in and get rid of the ghosts. Simon meets a young library assistant that helps him in his quest to help the library. Little does Simon know of the mysteries hiding in the library. 

This was a quick read that I enjoyed reading. I don't think I have ever read a middle-grade novel that has spooked me before. There is one scene in this novel that creeped me out a bit, bathtubs anyone. 

The pictures were also a great feature in this novel. I have read other books that have "creepy" pictures in them, but I feel like Richard utilized the pictures in an interesting way for the story. They are not just used here to get people to read this book. They are actually another aspect of the story and help tell it. I love that Richard created these pictures himself and that he showed how he did this on his Booktube channel. 

Overall, I fully enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read that had me questioning what was going to happen next. I would have never expected that ending. Great storytelling. I will be picking up the second novel.

If you like a great mix of creepiness and a mystery pick this book up. I believe you'll enjoy it. 

🍁 Happy Fall everyone. I hope you have a great weekend and have a great time reading. 🍁

Oh, and happy Hobbit day! 

Friday Reviews 1: September 1st- 8th, 2017

🍂 Friday Reviews Week 1: September 1st- 8th, 2017 🍂

Book 1: How to Be Perfectly Unhappy

 by Matthew Inman, The Oatmeal- Read Sept. 2nd, 2017

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I have liked The Oatmeal books that I have read. They have always had a peculiar sense of humor with the illustrations and what Matthew Inman discusses. This book also had great humor throughout and I enjoyed it for the most part. A good short read for those that like The Oatmeal books. 

*I received this book for free for an honest review*

Book 2: The Wendy Project- Read Sept. 2nd, 2017
by Melissa Osborne

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Wendy Davies crashes her car into a lake with her two young brothers Michael and John in the backseat. After she wakes up in the hospital and her parents tell her that Michael is dead. She keeps insisting though that a flying boy has taken Michael away. Her therapist gives her a sketchbook to try and work through what has happened, that Wendy begins to draw in. Throughout the graphic novel, Wendy tries to work through her grief and to try and figure what really happened that night. The graphic novel blends the story with an impressive art style that plays with colors and imagery to create a very moving story. It blends together fantasy and reality and makes the reader question what is real. 

I have been waiting to read this book since I first heard about it a few months ago and now I finally have it. First of all, I want to talk about the illustrations. This is a stunning graphic novel and is one of the best that I have ever seen visually if not the best. The illustrations/art by Veronica Fish are incredible and I just want to keep looking at them. The story is also great. I love retellings or stories that take a twist on original tales and this one was definitely very good. Melissa Jane Osborne takes the tale of Peter Pan and twists it into a story of grief and how to overcome great obstacles. The notebook like design is not only clever and beautiful but it also goes perfectly with the story that Melissa is telling. I recommend this book to anyone that loves the original tale of Peter Pan and graphic novels. This was a great take on a classic story that I cannot get enough of. Also, it looks absolutely stunning and has a great texture to the cover. I could gush about it forever. Please, if the premise of this book sounds even a bit interesting to you, pick it up. You will not regret it. 

🐢 Book 3: Equal Rites (Book 3 of the Discworld Series) 🐘

 by Terry Pratchett- Read 8/31/17- 9/7/17

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Before I start to review the actual novel, I first want to take a brief moment to explain Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. First, there are forty-one novels that make up the series and also many other companion books. There are seven sub-series that make up the actual series: Wizards/ Rincewind/ Unseen University, Witches (also Witches/Tiffany Aching), Death, Ancient Civilizations, City Watch, Industrial Revolution, and Moist von Lipwig. There are over one hundred key characters. 

Many of the Discworld Characters 

One of the major questions that many ask is, where should I start this series? Many pick a sub-series and just stick with that. Others will start at the very beginning, at The Colour of Magic (which was first published in 1983). I will say that I decided to go with the second way of reading, I want to read each of the books in publishing order. Some other readers just pick the books that interest them. Many of the books in the Discworld series can be read separately but some follow a continuing plot such as The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic. Also, I will say that many of the characters show up in other books even from other sub-series. The character of Death is almost in all forty-one of the novels. 

Previously this year, I read the first two books, The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic. I quite enjoy Terry Pratchett's way of writing. He has a great use of wit throughout his novels and so many lines that stick out as favorites. 

"Granny, meanwhile was two streets away. She was also, by the standards of other people, lost. She would not see it like that. She knew where she was, it was just that everywhere else didn't." -Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites

Equal Rites is the third book in the Discworld series and the first book

in the Witches sub-series. This is the first novel that introduces one of the influential characters of the series, Granny Weatherwax. Granny has become one of my favorite characters in all literature. She's hilariously funny with her bluntness with anyone that she meets. Her dry way of talking and her expressions make this book.Granny's full name is Esmerelda Weatherwax but is known as Granny by everyone. She's not someone you would want to mess with even with the nickname Granny. 

"The second problem was that a bear had found it (the staff) first. In fact, this hadn't been too much of a problem because Granny, already in a bad temper, hit it right between the eyes with the broomstick and it was now sitting as far away from her as it was possible to get in a pit, and trying to think happy thoughts." -Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites

Eskarina (Esk)

The novel starts with an explanation that a wizard has never been a woman. The first character that we meet is an older wizard that is trying to find a newborn boy to give his powers and magical staff. The eighth child of an eighth son is given the power, but the wizard makes a major mistake. He wanted to give it to the eighth son of an eighth son but instead, the child is a girl. 

Years, later when the child Eskarina, Esk for short is around eight years old, the town witch Granny wants to train her as a witch. The girl's power does not suit well to what a witch is able to do so her only real option for power is to become a wizard. So Granny decides to bring the girl to the Unseen Univesity to learn to become a wizard. 

Terry Pratchett's humor shines in this novel and he has so many different gems of writing throughout (like I have shown above). The Discworld is this fully mapped out world that I am enjoying getting immersed in whenever I pick up one of his books. This book takes some time to get into but trust me it is worth it. The world building and the intricate way that Terry weaves his story is wonderful to experience. I have never been so impressed by an author as I am of him. 

I completely recommend reading this series and if you get the chance, listen to the audiobooks of them also. They are great. I will be reading Mort sometime next week and I cannot wait.