Review: Just One Night by Gayle Forman

Grade: 4.5 Butterflies

Series: Just One Day #2.5

Author: Gayle Forman

Publisher: Speak

Pages: E-book 40 pages

Goodreads Summary

After spending one life-changing day in Paris with laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter, sheltered American good girl Allyson “Lulu” Healey discovered her new lover had disappeared without a trace. Just One Day followed Allyson’s quest to reunite with Willem; Just One Year chronicled the pair’s year apart from Willem’s perspective. Now, back together at last, this delectable e-novella reveals the couple’s final chapter.

This was such an outstanding conclusion to this beautiful story! This was a little short, but it conveyed all that it needed to and it gave the readers closure for the story. It was just as beautifully written as the first two books were and it was just so great to read what happens after Willem opens the door!

This was written in so many POV's. The perspective of the story changed about every other paragraph and it was in third person POV. This annoyed me a little at first, I just wanted a clear story with all the answers I needed with only Allyson's and Willem's POV. However, as I got into this story I really appreciated this. I feel that since it was written in this format it gave a big-picture type of tone to this conclusion. It showed us what Willem and Allyson were thinking, but also what Kate, Dee, Broodje, and a bunch of other people were thinking. This showed the reader the impact Willem and Allyson's story had on other people instead of just themselves. I think that really gave a luster to this conclusion.

Also, this format never got to for away from Allyson's and Willem's POV. When something happened and the readers wanted to know what Allyon and Willem were thinking it would show us. The writer knew that while giving us all these other people POVs would give it this great tone she shouldn't stray from Allyson and Willem. She gave us their POVs then any other person and the last five or so pages were just from their POV.

This was such a great conclusion to this outstanding story! It gave the readers closure for the story while still leaving it open enough to give the impression of continuing on. It was just so well written and a great novella! The format is weird at first, but it really adds to the overall effectiveness of this novella.

This book got...

4.5 Butterflies

Beautiful, this is a great book. 

Happy reading

Review: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibiushi

Grade: Great

Series: Amulet Vol. 3

Author: Kazu Kibuishi 

Goodreads Summary

AN IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY WITH DANGER AT EVERY TURN...

Emily, Navin, and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of the lost city of Cielis. There they hope to find help from the Guardian Council's powerful Stonekeepers. It's a mission that Alledia's survival depends on, and time is running out--Emily's got to find Cielis before the Elf King finds her.

So, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series, Graphic Novel or regular Novel. I love this series!! The characters, the plot, and the world especially. This book was a wonderful continuation to the series. It continued to build on the plot, it developed the world a bit more, we also got more background info on some characters. It was all I wanted and need in a continuation of a series.

The plot was just as fast paced as the first two, maybe a bit more. We are going deeper into this story-line so more serious stuff is happening. In my mind, a lot of scenes vital to the story happened in this one. So, this plot was just so good and an amazing read!! I also like how the plot keeps on going along. We are getting to the really good parts of the plot and I can't see what happens in the next one!

I like how we are slowly getting more and more information and depth from these characters and the world. We are learning about some characters past, *cough* the prince *cough*, and the author is just slowly building on the depth of the characters that he established in the first two books. This is just so great to read!! It's making the characters feel more and more real and it's like you are getting to know them so well. Its like friends that you learn more and more about the longer your friendship continues.

Added to the characters is the world. This author basically took his tactic with building depth for the characters and applied it to the world, which is working out great. This author keeps slowly giving the readers more facts about this world. Every now and again Emily and her family will have something about the world explained to them or they will figure it out and thus you as the reader learns it. This is such a great way to write world-building when you are firstly drawing the world. It makes you as the reader feel like you are in the story, because you are learning about the world right along side the characters.

This was an amazing continuation of this series!! It had everything a reader could want in the continuation of a series. The plot kept going forward at a great pace, the characters have so much depth and they keep getting more, and the world is just so wonderfully drawn and explained!

This book got....

Happy reading

Updated Mini Review: Amulet vol. 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

I reviewed this one a while back and when I re-read this Graphic Novel I decided to do an updated review. The first review was pretty vague and I wanted to add more details.

Grade: Good

Series: Amulet #1

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Publisher: Graphix

Goodreads Summary 

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

This was a fast paced, captivating read! It starts out with a scene that will instantly grab your attention while simultaneously making you cry your eyes out. This graphic novel was great!! I thought it was an amazing set up for the series! I loved it and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. With that being said, I did have a few minor issues.

For one, the setting wasn't illustrated and focused on enough for my liking, so we didn't really get a clear sense of the world. Nor did the author gave us as much information as I would have liked, considering it was mostly set in a fantasy world. However, since this is the first in the series I overlooked them. I have the utmost confidence that this author will add on these things as the series goes on.

What I really loved about this graphic novel is the family aspect. The whole plot is basically driven forward by Emily trying to save her mom. Not only that, but when reading this graphic novel the author subtly put in scenes that allowed you to see the love each member of the family has for each other. You can see how much the Mom loves Navin and Emily and you can see that they love her back. I just loved how the main theme was this family aspect and how for you would go for your family. It's a breath of fresh air with what I've been reading.

I also really loved the characters in this book. I loved Emily! Emily has suffered a loss but she doesn't react the way most teenagers, maybe (I don't know her age), are portrayed. She doesn't act bratty or annoying and you can see she loves her family very much. She will do anything for her Mom and Brother  and I loved that about her.

Overall I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I really do. I think it's a great set up to the series. However, be warned that you might not like it as much as I did. It as sci-fi and fantasy aspects and it gets weird really fast. So, if you don't like that type of thing, if you don't like reading a plot that has weird in its discription, than this one might not be for you. However, if you are a fan of parnormal/fantasy, sci-fi then you will love this one.

This book got....

Amulet Vol. 2: The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi

Grade: Great!

Series: Amulet #2

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Publisher: GRAPHIX

Goodreads Summary:

In this thrilling sequel to AMULET #1: THE STONEKEEPER, Emily and her brother Navin head for Kanalis, a beautiful and mysterious city of waterfalls, where they hope to find the antidote for the poison that felled their mother. That cure lies in the eggs of a giant serpent atop Demon's Head Mountain, but the kids' archenemy, Trellis, is headed for the peak, too. A battle that will engulf all of Kanalis is looming. It's up to Em to triumph over evil while controlling the amulet's power . . . without losing herself!

This is the sequel to The Stonekeeper, a graphic novel that I am in love with! This one starts off about a week or two after the first one. The crew is just arriving at the city of Kanalis in hopes of curing Emily and Nevin's mother. I loved this one even more then the first one!! It was fantastic!! The plot progressed wonderfully and I love where this story is going! I also loved how this one improved on some of the minor problems I had with the first one.

What is interesting is how this one is only, at most, two weeks after the first and yet Emily and Navin look a lot older. In the first one it's like, "hi 8 and 10 year olds" and in this one its like "Nice to meet you 11 and 12 year olds". I don't know if this is just me or what.

This plot captivated me again and I just loved it! I love where this story is going!  I loved how it's like a fantasy quest type of thing and she has to learn how to control her powers! I just loved it! There wasn't a slow part of this book. So many things happened in it, but not to much to confuse you. It just really took you on a rollorcoaster of action.

 I also liked how, since it's a quest type of book, we get to see more of the world. That was one of my problems with the first one, we just didn't get to see  lot of the world in that one. However, in this one we get to see a lot of the world and it was gorgeous! This author knows how to draw some amazing landscapes! He also starts to draw more backgrounds in scenes. In the last one most of the backgrounds were just blue blurs, but in this one he paid more attention to the background and I really appreciated that. I'm finding that for me with graphic novels, if the author doesn't pay attention to the backgrounds you don't feel like you're there in the world. And it gives the exact opposite effect then what graphic novels or suppose to. So, I'm really glad he started focusing on the backgrounds some more.

The best part of this one is the information we get. We learn about the 'curse' on the people, the origins of he evil Elf King, we learn about the underground rebellion, we also get info on the amulets, we learn just so much! And that really pushes the story on and gives us vital background information on the world. The characters also get more depth. Emily gets stronger in this one, even though she is still, thankfully, just as clear-headed and determined as in the first one. I really like hat about her, because the Amulet is a bad influence and it's nice to see for once a MC that doesn't get corrupted by the bad influence. The Elf Prince also gets some development and background information. He actually reminds me of Prince Zeko on Avatar the Last Airbender.

Overall, I am in love with this series!! It is amazing, captivating rollarcoast rides of fun, action, and fights. I love where the story is leading us, the world, everything about this series. I loved this one because the characters are growing, we as a reader learn more about the world, we also get to see more of the world. This graphic novel was just super fantastic! If you haven't started reading this series, do so now. It is a great series for beginners of Graphic Novels and at the same time a veteran graphic novel reader will still love it.

This book got..

Black Butler Volume 4 & 5 by Yana Toboso

Series: Black Butler

Author: Yana Toboso

Goodreads Summary 

London - the capital of the Great Empire - is once again under siege, as a string of bizarre attacks on British citizens returned from India sends rumours flying and casts a pall upon Queen Victoria's rule. Sent in by Her Majesty, young Earl Phantomhive and his most capable butler, Sebastian, follow a trail that collides head-on with an Indian youth who claims to be a prince. And this prince possesses an extraordinary butler of his own! As an intense rivalry between the two butlers begins to form, will the kitchen be the dueling duo's final battleground?!

Goodreads Summary

For an impeccable gentleman's butler like Sebastian Michaelis, the word "impossible" is just not in his vocabulary. Everything demanded of him under the English sun is well within his grasp. But do his talents extend to things under the scalding Indian sun?! As Harold West-Jeb's plan to use Agni, Prince Soma's superhuman butler, in a curry battle to win himself a Royal Warrant is exposed, Earl Ciel Phantomhive sets Sebastian to the task of creating an incomparable curry to defeat the despicable West-Jeb. But how can Ciel's devil of a butler possibly best Agni, the man with the Right Hand of God?!

Volume 4
This was another great volume in the series!! I loved it!! There are more murders in London and of course the Queen's hound-dog is sent to stop them. And the plot goes from there. This volume was really fast paced. You get caught up in the investigation and the characters, it was great!

Speaking of characters two new characters where introduced in this volume and they where so great to read!! I loved these characters and they brought more diversity into this volume they where just so fun to read. My favorite had to be Agni, because I loved how nice of a person he was and it was great to see Sebastian puzzled by that.

The best part of this was the flashback that gave us a glimpse into Ciel's past. We get to see a little bit of what happened when his parents died and how/why he went into a contract with Sebastian. That was great to read and really gave more depth to his character.

Overall I loved this volume, I think It's my favorite in the series so far just because of the new characters introduced. And this does leave on a slight cliffhanger. Nothing life or death, but just enough of one to make you eagerly want to read the next one.

Volume 5.

This one starts off where the last one ended, Sebastian is trying to make the perfect curry. it was really fun to see Sebastian get better at cooking curry as the volume progressed. He would take his mistakes and his observations to make a better batch of it, then he'd make an even better batch, then an even better batch.It was just fun to read that cycle.

The plot was great to read, not the best out of the five volumes so far, but still great to read. Although I'm a little confused about Agni's involvement with the London murders, I know why he was involved I just don't fully know what he did.

The cool thing about this volume was how we got to see little tidbits of the servants life before this. Like how Finny never went outside before he became a servant to Ciel. Just little things like that that make you wonder about their pasts.

This was another enjoyable volume in this series and like the last volume it leaves in the slightest cliffhanger. Not a huge cliffhanger, but the kind that sets up for the next volume. So I really want to get my hands on the sixth volume.

Happy reading

Mini Review: Black Butler Volume 3 by Yana Toboso

 Grade: Great 

Series: Black butler

Author: Yana Toboso

Goodreads summary

Terrorizing its populace, Jack the Ripper has shaken London to its very core. But when Sebastian Michaelis, singular butler of the Phantomhive house, lays bare the madman's true identity, all that is left for him to do is eliminate the perpetrator in the name of the Queen and Phantomhive. But inhumanly efficient skills don't guarantee victory when the opponent is just as supernaturally gifted! And though Sebastian may be able to save Ciel from physical harm in the battle that ensues, will the young earl ever recover from the emotional scars it will leave on his heart?

This one starts right where the last one ended. And it was really great to read Sebastian fight again and to see Madam Red's past to see why she did what she did. This whole volume was great to read!  And it was also interesting to read Sebastian's true nature come out just a little bit. There was some parts where you could tell he was a devil, but than he would go back to his normal gentleman manner.

And this whole volume isn't just about the fight between Sebastian and Grelle. It's kind of weird, because after the fight it's like a whole new volume started. The Ripper case is said and done with and it's never really mentioned again. So, it feels like it's two volumes.

One thing that is interesting to read it Ciel and Sebastian's relationship. Their relationship has like multi personality disorder. One second it's like they care for each other like brother, then the next it's like it's nonexistent, than it just turns creepy. Usually something like that would be annoying to read, but in this it was really interesting to read.

 I just love this series and if you are looking for a new manga to read I would highly suggest this one, it's great. I can't wait until it starts getting more in-depth in the whole Demons and Grim reapers world. Also the ending gives you just enough of a nugget to makes you wonder whats going to happen in the next volume.

This book is...

Happy reading.

Mini Review: Black Butler Volume 2 by Yana Toboso

 Grade: Great

 Series: Black Butler #2

Author: Yana Toboso

Goodreads Summary

As high society's social calendar opens up and the Season draws to a close, London is gripped by fear. Someone has taken to stalking women of the night and painting the town red...in their blood. The name on everyone's lips seems to be "Jack the Ripper" - and as a result, the name on Queen Victoria's lips is Phantomhive. Summoned to London to clean up the mess created by this madman, Ciel Phantomhive arrives with Sebastian, his extraordinary butler, at his side to pour him tea, polish his silver, and...investigate a serial killer. And with the aid (and occasional interference) of a few of the Phantomhive house's numerous acquaintances, little stands in the way of the young earl getting to the bottom of this mystery. However, one question remains...can he handle the shattering truth behind it?

So, volume 2 of the Black butler series begins a few days after the events in the first one. And the Queen's hound dog goes to London to solve the Jack the Ripper cause. I was really excited to read this one and it was so good!!

You know how I said in my review for the first volume that I could get obsessed with this series if the plot developed a bit more? Well the plot develops a lot in this one and I got hooked!! I am officially obsessed with this series! It's just so good. And I was floored when it showed who Jack the Ripper was.

I think one of the big parts on why I'm obsessed with it is because of the characters. It's like you don't know very much about the characters, but that's not a bad thing. It just makes you want to read more to puzzle these characters out, especially Sebastian. Sebastian is the type of character that creeps you out and also really interests you. Like in the beginning when he's thinking about all that stuff, it really creeped me out, but also made me want to know more about him. I know that sounded weird, but if you read this you'll understand it.

You also learn a bit more about the Demons or "Devils" in this one and also about some other creatures. Not a whole lot but just enough for you to be like "I need to know more!" And the book also ends in a cliff hanger that made me glad I had the next book already, because I really wanted to see Sebastian fight again!!

So far I am really loving this series and I can't wait to read the rest of the volumes!!! And if your interested in reading manga than I would highly recommend this one.

This book is...

Happy reading.

Mini Review: Black Butler Volume 1 by Yana Toboso

Grade: Good

Series: Black Butler

Author: Yana Toboso

Goodreads Summary:

In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs to get his revenge on those who had humiliated him and destroyed what he loved. Not being able to do it alone he sells his soul to a demon he names Sebastian Michaelis. Now working as his butler, Sebastian must help the Earl Phantomhive in this suspenseful, exciting, thriller manga.

This book introduces Ciel Phantomhive, the 12 year hold Head of the Phantomhive Family and his butler, Sebastian Michaelis and the plot goes from there. And even though I enjoyed this book, there isn't much of a plot in this first book. It's more of an introduction book in the sense that it introduces the characters and the whole mystery surrounding Ciel's past and Sebastian. Which was fine to read, but because of it I can't tell you how good the plot of the series is yet since it hasn't fully manifested yet.

And also the plot gets a little confusing, but that was just because of the mystery aspect of the book. In the end all the confusing things make sense, but as your reading it it's a little confusing.

And I really liked the characters in this one. Ciel didn't get much depth in this one, although he has a lot of potential to get depth, because of all the mystery surrounding his past. And the same goes for Sebastian, it was like he had to modes, good Butler and very creepy fighter. And I can see as the series goes on, him getting more in-between modes.

The art work in here isn't anything really noteworthy. It's like any other manga, which I really like the art work in manga, but if you don't, then don't pick this series up expecting fantastic art work.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I think it was a good set up to a potentially great series. And I can also see myself get really obsessed with this series if it gets more of a plot line.

This book Is..

Happy reading

Mini Review: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 4 by Hiromu Arakawa

     Starting with this review I will be doing my new rating system for Manga's and Graphic Novels where I just state if it was "Great", "Good", or "Bad". I'm doing this because since my reviews for them are smaller and simpler than my rating system should match.

Name: Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 4

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 

Goodreads Summary 

Trapped and injured in a secret alchemical laboratory, Edward Elric is at the mercy of his enemies, Lust and Envy. But they don't want him dead...they have other plans for him. As the laboratory goes up in flames, the brothers find themselves back at square one, with only an inkling of the massive scale of the Philosopher's Stone conspiracy. But then, Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes uncovers a shocking secret...

The third volume in this series ended in a huge cliffhanger and this book starts out right when the last one ended. So, it just throws you back into action and instantly grabs you attention and never lets you go. This volume is full of action, answers, questions, death, and more questions. It is just so good!

Like I said the plot starts out right away and never lets up. You get some answers, but they just led to even more questions. And you are just captivated throughout the whole thing. And what happens in this one is even worse than what happens in the 2 volume. You will cry and cry. And with that death I feel like it made it all more serious and real to me.

The characters are just as if not better than they where before. Alphonse becomes more human in my eyes, you learn more about Edward as a person and you even get hints about him and Winry (by the way I love their relationship in this series, I think it's so cute and so subtle that I just love it).

And the drawings are good, again they aren't the most detailed, but that's just the style of it. I also really like how even though most of the drawings aren't detailed, but when it's an important scene is becomes more detailed. I loved that!

Overall this is another great book in this outstanding series! I loved it! If you are a manga or graphic novel lover and haven't started this series yet, do so now! Because you will not be disappointed.

This book is...

Happy reading

Mini Review: Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

Name: Amulet (Amulet #1)
Author: Kazu Kinuishi

Goodreads Summary

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

So, this is a graphic novel that I read a while ago and I really liked. This book is about a family that has a car crash and the dad dies and 2 year later the widow, the daughter, and the son movies to a new house and some weird things happen in the house and the mom gets kidnapped by this creature.

I really like the plot, I thought it was really imaginative and unique and fast paced. And the world was really great, I just loved the plot and the world. However, the plot is a little out there and strange in some places. Its not about aliens are anything like that, but it is still a little weird. So, if you really don't like those kinds of plots then you will not like this book, at all. I like those plots when they are done right and this one was.

The illustrations in this book aren't the best, but they still are better then a lot of other graphic novels. I would love if I could draw that good. Also there is a little bit of humor in this book, on several different occasion it made me laugh so hard.

Plot: 4 Butterflies.

Illustrations: 4 Butterflies.

Overall:

4 Butterflies

Beloved, This is a really good book.

Thats my mini review, I hope you read this, because it's really great. 

Happy reading.

Mini Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 3 by Hiromu Arakawa

Volume 3

Goodreads Summary

Accompanied by their bodyguard, Alex Louis Armstrong, our heroes seek out their closest childhood friend, mechanic Winry Rockbell, to fix their battered "auto-mail" bodyparts. Soon their quest for the Philosopher's Stone takes them to the great central library, where the Stone's formula may be hidden...if the mysterious figure named Lust doesn't get there first! But the secret of the Philosopher's Stone may be even more frightening than the beings who guard it..

So, the last volume ended on a slight cliffhanger and this one doesn't really acknowledge it until the middle of it. Which is fine with me, because in the beginning it introduces some more characters. the new characters are from the Elric brother's past, so we also get a better look on there past and how they got to where they are today.

The plot in this book is really good. In the beginning not much is happening, but I was okay with that,  because like I said it tells you some information on their past. In about half way though, when they get to central is when the plot really picks up and some questions are answered, but that only leads to more questions. The volumes ends on a huge cliffhanger that makes me want to read the next one.

The illustrations in this are really good in my opinion, there not really detailed, but that's usually a given with Manga. I just really like the manga style illustrations.

This was another really great installment in a series that I have fallen in love with and I can't wait to read more in the series.

This got...

4.5 Butterflies

Beautiful, this is a great book. 

That was my mini review, I hope you read this series if you are looking for a good manga.
Happy reading.