Blog 213: The Scarlet Dragon

Synopsis of the book from Goodreads

In this second Kingdom of Wrenly chapter book, Lucas and Clara search for special berries that will cure the scarlet dragon.

In this second book in The Kingdom of Wrenly series, an unusual egg has been found on Crestwood, the land of dragons. When the egg starts to hatch, the king, queen, and Prince Lucas are there to see what emerges. It’s…a scarlet dragon! Everyone is amazed to see the creature, which they have only heard about in tall tales.

King Caleb declares that the special dragon will belong to an overjoyed Prince Lucas, who vows to keep his dragon safe. But when the scarlet dragon gets sick, the only cure is a potion made with vixberries that grow deep in the forest of Burth (the land of trolls). Lucas and Clara set out to find these special berries, but the task is harder than they expected. Will they be able to find the berries and save the scarlet dragon?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

My Review

Cover: This cover is absolutely adorable. I love it. 

Things that I liked: I know that this is a juvenile fiction book and I still enjoyed it. I got engrossed in the little adventures that Prince Lucas and his friend Clara go on each time. I loved that this story in particular had a baby dragon in it. The things that they get to go through in order to save the day are just awesome. A good use of sense of adventure and friendship.

Things that I didn't like: I do wish sometimes that the pictures were in color but I like that they have pictures at all.. lol.

Overall: I rated this a 5 out of 5 stars, I loved it. I loved their little adventure.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this one, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading!

Blog 212: The Lost Stone

Synopsis of the Book from Goodreads

Welcome to the Kingdom of Wrenly—a new chapter book series full of fantasy and adventure.

Meet Lucas, the eight year-old prince, and Clara, the daughter of the queen’s seamstress. Lucas is an only child who longs to make friends and go on adventures. Clara knows the kingdom well, so she and Lucas team up and explore the lands of Wrenly!

In The Lost Stone, Lucas and Clara search for Queen Tasha’s missing emerald. On their exciting adventure, they travel to all the main attractions of Wrenly: Primlox (the island of fairies), Burth (the island of trolls), Crestwood (the island of dragons), Hobsgrove (the island of wizards), and the beautiful Mermaid’s Cove. King Caleb has promised to reward the person who finds the precious stone, and Lucas and Clara are determined to search the entire kingdom until they find it!

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

My Review

Cover: The cover is very colorful and cute.

Things that I liked: Even though this is a juvenile fiction story, I really enjoyed it. It was a quick and easy read. I loved the characters and the little adventure that they went on. I loved that the little prince Lucas was able to hang out with his friend Clara in order to find the lost stone. 

Things that I didn't like: I have no complaints.

Overall: I rated this 5 out of 5 stars as I really enjoyed this short little story.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading!

Blog 211: iZombie Volume 3: Six Feet Under and Rising GN

Synopsis of the Book from Goodreads

The continuing adventures of the undead detective Gwen and her ghost pal Ellie and were-terrier Spot, written by World Fantasy Award finalist Chris Roberson! This collection features the "real-time" storyline "5 Brains, 5 Months," which follows the team as they uncover mystery after mystery over the course of a five-month period.

My Review

Cover: These covers get more and more interesting. 

Things that I liked: I believe this graphic novel series is starting to grow on me. In the beginning, I preferred the TV show over these graphic novels, but now I'm thinking that I like both just as equally. These graphic novels are adding more and more interesting characters, plot, plot twists, and the like. Gwen is getting more visions, and sometimes her secret comes out with unforeseen consequences or reactions to her secret.

Things that I didn't like: I still have a hard time with the fact that the graphic novel isn't close to what the TV show is. I imagine there would be differences between the two but not such a huge difference.

Overall: I rated this a 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading!

Blog 210: iZombie Volume 2: uVampire Graphic Novel

Synopsis of the book from Goodreads

Told from a female zombie’s perspective, this smart, witty detective series mixes urban fantasy and romantic dramedy. Gwendolyn “Gwen” Dylan is a 20-something gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery. Once a month she must eat a human brain to keep from losing her memories, but in the process she becomes consumed with the thoughts and personality of the dead person – until she eats her next brain. She sets out to fulfill the dead person’s last request, solve a crime or right a wrong.

In uVAMPIRE, Gwen dines on the grey matter of a person who knew her as a child – and things quickly get complicated. Meanwhile, ghost-girl Ellie learns a few tricks from Amon the mummy; Spot the were-terrier goes to the comics shop and meets someone from Gwen’s past, the mad scientist Galatea engages in a bit of grave-robbing; and the monster-hunters tackle the town’s vampire problem once and for all.

My Review

The cover: The cover is simple yet says a lot about what the graphic novel is about.

Things that I liked: It continued with the theme of Gwen and how she has sustain her life force, but still gets the visions and/or visions from the deceased that she eats the brains of. This volume seems to put its focus on more of the vampires of the town instead of Gwen. But at the same time it seems she is sharing the focus between her and the vampires. 

Things I didn't like: I didn't really know what was going on with the red headed vampire and what her story was. I wish they would have bee more information on her and her mistress.

Overall: I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the read but still had a few questions about some of the characters.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading! 

Blog 209: Dragons are People, Too.

Synopsis of the book from Goodreads

Never judge a dragon
by her human cover...

Sixteen-year-old Kitty Lung has everyone convinced she’s a normal teen—not a secret government operative, not the one charged with protecting the president’s son, and certainly not a were-dragon. The only one she trusts with the truth is her best friend—and secret crush—the über-hot Bulisani Mathe.

Then a junior operative breaks Rule Number One by changing into his dragon form in public—on Kitty’s watch—and suddenly, the world knows. About dragons. About the Draconic Intelligence Command (DIC) Kitty works for. About Kitty herself.

Now the government is hunting down and incarcerating dragons to stop a public panic, and a new shape-shifting enemy has kidnapped the president’s son. Kitty and Bulisani are the last free dragons, wanted by both their allies and their enemies. If they can’t rescue the president’s son and liberate their fellow dragons before getting caught themselves, dragons might never live free again.

My Review

The Cover: I absolutely love this cover. It is simple yet says a lot about the story itself.

Things that I liked: I really enjoyed reading the story. I loved that I was able to recognize some of the places of setting that Sarah used throughout the story. I love the concept of this story in itself. Were-dragons. Awesome idea. I love the romance that unfolds throughout the story of Sani and Kitty. Love it. I enjoyed reading about them saving the world and the entire dragon species. I love that they had to hide their feelings for each other and they really couldn't say anything to the other about it because they would be separated. I love that Kitty and Sani work so well together. I would like to know more. Seriously is there going to be a book 2 coming?

Things that I didn't like: the ending. I feel like there is more to tell and it was left on a cliffhanger. I know that may be the intent, but I would love to read more about these characters. 

Overall: I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the story in itself and the concept is amazing. I loved reading about the characters. I would and will recommend this to all my friends.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading!

Blog 208: iZombie Volume 1: Dead to the World Graphic Novel

Synopsis of the Book from Goodreads

Told from a female zombie’s perspective, this smart, witty detective series mixes urban fantasy and romantic dramedy.

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Dylan is a 20-something gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery. Once a month she must eat a human brain to keep from losing her memories, but in the process she becomes consumed with the thoughts and personality of the dead person – until she eats her next brain. She sets out to fulfill the dead person’s last request, solve a crime or right a wrong.

Our zombie girl detective is joined by a radical supporting cast: her best friend Eleanor, who happens to be a swinging ’60s ghost, a posse of paintball blasting vampires, a smitten were-dog and a hot but demented mummy.

My Review

Cover: I like the cover very colorful and graphic as to what the graphic novel is about.

Things that I liked: I did like that you get to see Gwen from both "human" and "zombie" sides of things. I will admit that it was odd reading the graphic novel after watching the first season of iZombie on TV. This is completely different from what the TV show provides you with. I think I might be a little biased because of watching the show first. I liked the show and how she is a zombie but works for the medical examiner and is able to help solve the murders/homicides of the victims by eating their brains. Whereas here in the graphic novel, you are introduced to many different characters (Ellie the ghost, Spot the were-terrier, vampires, a mummy, etc.)

Things that I didn't like: I didn't like that the graphic novel was so very different from the TV show. I guess I went into this thinking that they would be the same and/or similar.

Overall:I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars based on my assumption that it would be the same and/or similar. But I would rate this book by itself a 4 out of 5 stars. The book itself was good.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading! 

Blog 207: What Pet should I Get

Synopsis of the book from Goodreads

A never-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss!

This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment — choosing a pet — and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it!

Told in Dr. Seuss’s signature rhyming style, this is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors, and a perfect choice for the holidays, birthdays, and happy occasions of all kinds.

An Editor’s Note at the end discusses Dr. Seuss’s creative process, his interest in animals, and Seussian creatures throughout his work.

My Review

I love Dr Seuss books. I grew up on Dr. Seuss books.

Things that I liked: I liked that they kept with the rhyming scheme that goes along with Dr Seuss stories. I love that it was two little children looking for their first pet. The bright colors and the book cover were wonderful. I was excited to see what they were going to choose at the end

Things that I didn't like: I was disappointed with the ending. The children got to see all of these wonderful animals but they never said what they ended up picking out. With so many possibilities for them to choose, I was wondering what they did choose, only to be disappointed to not find out what they chose. 

Overall: I liked it and it brought back memories from my childhood. I rated this book a 3 out of 3 stars.

Thank you for stopping by, if you have read this, please leave a comment below. Happy Reading!