Book Review: Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

 

Title: Stealing Snow

Author: Danielle Paige

Release Date: 20 September 2016

Page Amount: 375 pages

 

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Blurb:

From Danielle Paige, the New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die, comes a re-imagining of "The Snow Queen" fairy tale.

Seventeen-year-old Snow has spent the majority of her life within the walls of the Whittaker Institute, a high security mental hospital in upstate New York. Deep down, she knows she's not crazy and doesn't belong there. When she meets a mysterious, handsome new orderly and dreams about a strange twisted tree she realizes she must escape and figure out who she really is.

Using her trusting friend Bale as a distraction, Snow breaks free and races into the nearby woods. Suddenly, everything isn't what it seems, the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur, and she finds herself in icy Algid--her true home--with witches, thieves, and a strangely alluring boy named Kai, none of whom she's sure she can trust. As secret after secret is revealed, Snow discovers that she is on the run from a royal lineage she's destined to inherit, a father more powerful and ruthless than she could have imagined, and choices of the heart that could change the fate of everything . . . including Snow's return to the world she once knew.

This breathtaking first volume begins the story of how Snow becomes a villain, a queen, and ultimately a hero.

Review:

I really want to like every book I read, but that just doesn't happen. This was one of those books. I also really wanted to like it (or love it) because it says it is a retelling of "The Snow Queen", which is my favorite fairytale. 

I think there were cliches of mental illness in here, for sure. I felt like Snow was too immature for me, and it read a bit too young for me, Snow seemed to get control of her powers far too quickly, and she did not seem to question much, either, And of course, there is the love quandrangle. Which was too much for me. I also did not recognize much of "The Snow Queen" in here. There was a little bit, maybe, but not much. And there was some parts that could have been interesting, but just did not get there for me. I did like Gird, though. 

One thing that does frustrate me about some of the reviews I saw is that they saw it was not like "Snow White" or that they didn't realize it was based on "The Snow Queen". I may not have liked the book, but the blurb does clearly say it is a retelling of "The Snow Queen", even if I feel it barely is. (I checked the online blurb and it was right on the flap of the hardcover. I don't know about the paperback, or if there was a paperback edition. Maybe some did not say it? I don't know...)

Unfortunately, this was not for me at all. 

2 quills

Book Review: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

 

 

Title: The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Author: Alix E. Harrow

Release Date: 10 September 2019

Page Amount: 374 pages

 

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Blurb:

LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards.

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Lush and richly imagined, a tale of impossible journeys, unforgettable love, and the enduring power of stories awaits in Alix E. Harrow's spellbinding debut--step inside and discover its magic. 

Review:

This was so good. I am so glad that I read this. I think it was easily earn a place in my top ten books of the year. I love the concept of this. Some of it was hard to read (as in the content, not the quality of the writing.) But it was so worth it. There was some social commentary on history, as well. The Doors were so cool to read about it. I like January, Jane, and Samuel. I was surprised a few times, too. The writing was absolutely beautiful. I loved it. I would highly recommend it!! 

5 quills 

Book Review: Batman Year One by Frank Miller with David Mazzuchelli

 

Title: Batman: Year One

Author: Frank Miller with David Mazzucchelli (Illustrator), Richmond Lewis (Illustrator)

Release Date: 

Series: Batman (1940) #404-407

Page Amount: 144 pages

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Blurb:

In 1986, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli produced this groundbreaking reinterpretation of the origin of Batman--who he is, and how he came to be. Sometimes careless and naive, this Dark Knight is far from the flawless vigilante he is today. 

In his first year on the job, Batman feels his way around a Gotham City far darker than the one he left. His solemn vow to extinguish the town's criminal element is only half the battle; along with Lieutenant James Gordon, the Dark Knight must also fight a police force more corrupt than the scum in the streets. 

Batman: Year One stands next to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns on the mantle of greatest Batman graphic novels of all time. Timeless in its appeal, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's masterpiece would stand apart from the crowded comics field even today. 

This edition includes the complete graphic novel, a new introduction by writer Frank Miller and a new illustrated afterword by artist David Mazzucchelli. Completing this collection are over 40 pages of never-before-seen developmental material such as character and layout sketches, sample script pages, sketches, and more that pro-vide a glimpse into the making of this contemporary classic. 

This volume collects Batman #404-407.

Review:

I stumbled upon this at my library and knew it was a well known Batman story. I also know that Frank Miller is very well known in the comic book world. I decided to pick it up. 

It was more internal monologue than I thought it would be. Also, I feel like it was more focused on James Gordon than Bruce Wayne/Batman. Which is fine, I like James Gordon, just not what I was expecting. And I found his story interesting to read about. It did indeed go through and chronicle the first year of Batman.  

The art was great. There were some very cool behind-the-scenes bits in the back of the book with some good insight that I enjoyed seeing. There were also references to things I know from the Dark Knight trilogy (well, obviously that came after this...) which was cool to see. And a couple of references to another DC character which were exciting to me. 

4 quills

Book Review: Blue Horses by Mary Oliver

 

 

Title: Blue Horses

Author: Mary Oliver 

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Page Amount: 96 pages 

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Blurb:

In this stunning collection of new poems, Mary Oliver returns to the imagery that has defined her life's work, describing with wonder both the everyday and the unaffected beauty of nature.

Herons, sparrows, owls, and kingfishers flit across the page in meditations on love, artistry, and impermanence. Whether considering a bird's nest, the seeming patience of oak trees, or the artworks of Franz Marc, Oliver reminds us of the transformative power of attention and how much can be contained within the smallest moments.

At its heart, Blue Horses asks what it means to truly belong to this world, to live in it attuned to all its changes. Humorous, gentle, and always honest, Oliver is a visionary of the natural world.

Review:

I picked this up because I knew I just had to read a Mary Oliver collection. She is such a celebrated modern poet and I adore poetry. There were two at my library and I picked this one up first. 

I enjoyed this collection. I also listened to the audiobook for some of the poems and enjoyed the narration. 

I wasn't expecting this collection to also be funny in some places, but I liked it. I particularly enjoyed all of the depictions of nature. The imagery was lovely, and you felt the tribute to the natural world throughout. 

4 quills

Book Review: 2am Thoughts by Makenzie Cambell

Title: 2am Thoughts

Author: Makenzie Campbell

Release Date: 2019

Page Amount: 152 pages  

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Blurb:

You are holding my heart in your hands. My emotions have bled out on each and every page with the ink of my pen. Your eyes will discover my soul. Your fingers casually flipping through my mind. I hope you find each delicate word as captivating as the stars. And I hope a piece of you feels the things I felt when creating this art. - 2:00 am This modern poetry book is an exploration of love, heartache, relationships, loss, finding one's self, and learning to love the life you've been given. 2am Thoughts is a poetry book similar to some titles such as milk and honey by Rupi Kaur and Buried Light by Beau Taplin.

Review:

I found this at a library book sale. There was a Bob Ross bookmark in it. I love Bob Ross, so I took it as a sign to pick this up. 

I also tabbed a fair amount of poems in this collection. It seems very relatable for someone who has just gone through a break up, particularly younger audiences - in their late teens and twenties, for instance. I liked the poems (some stood out more than others, of course), and the way the book was split up into sections. It was also interesting how each poem had a time under it - it made it a bit like reading a diary, and it helped in seeing the progression of the poems and person writing them.

3.75 quills

Book Review: She Followed the Moon Back to Herself by Amanda Lovelace

 

Title: She followed the moon back to herself

Author: Amanda Lovelace

Release Date: 29 October 2024

Page Amount: 208 pages

 

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Blurb:

the tenth poetry collection from amanda lovelace deviates from the well-worn path of fairy tales & myths, instead bringing readers face to face with the person behind the poems that have made her beloved.

from bestselling poetess amanda lovelace comes she followed the moon back to herself, an autobiographical standalone poetry collection that follows a woman who—through heartbreak, bottles of rosé, & the general messiness of life—felt like she completely lost who she was. each bitesize poem shines a light on where she’s been & how she’s managed to overcome it all, offering a dose of hope & moondust to all who join her on the journey back to herself.

Review:

As usual, I really enjoy Amanda Lovelace's poetry. I marked a lot of poems in this one (again, as usual.) One in particular stood out to me and definitely reminded me of myself. I found this collection inspiring, hopeful, reflective, and even a bit whimsical at times. I would definitely recommend it. A good start to getting into poetry, as well. 

4.75 quills

Book Review: Torchwood Vol. 1: World Without End by Carol Barrowman and John Barrowman with Antonio Fuso (Illustrator)

 

 

Title: Torchwood Vol. 1: World Without End

Series: Torchwood Comics #1

Author: Carol Barrowman and John Barrowman with Antonio Fuso (Illustrator)

Release Date: May 9th, 2017

Page Amount: 112 pages, paperback

 

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Blurb:

The members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.

Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. A spin-off from the 2005 revival of long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who, Torchwood aired four series between 2006 and 2011. In contrast to Doctor Who, whose target audience includes both adults and children, Torchwood is aimed at an older audience

Review:

I found this at a library book sale. I was actually kind of surprised there were Torchwoood comics (though I probably shouldn't have been.) This was a quick, fun read. The illustrations were very good. The ones of Jack in particular were great. He was instantly recognizable as Captain Jack Harkness. (I'm sure that his iconic coat helped.) Jack and Gwen have such a...strange relationship, but I love seeing them interact. The story was good. Very Torchwood. I like Torchwood at lot, particularly season three. Anyway, the Doctor Who references throughout were great!! And they happened to be referencing one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes. I think Torchwood fans would like this. I had a good time reading it. 

3.5 quills