Comic Book Review: Runaways #1

About the comic book

Title: Find Your Way Home
Series: Runaways (2017 - #)
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Kris Anka
Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes
Publication: September 13th, 2017
Pages: 18
Read: September 2017

My Copy

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Edition: Single
Purchase Location: Kabooom Comic Store, Zurich

My Rating:

Goodreads Summary

GET READY TO RUN! The "IT" book of the early 2000s with the original cast is back – Nico! Karolina! Molly! Chase! Old Lace! And, could it be? GERT?! The heart of the Runaways died years ago, but you won't believe how she returns! Superstar author Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park, Carry On) makes her Marvel debut with fan-favorite artist Kris Anka (ALL-NEW X-MEN, CAPTAIN MARVEL) in the series that will shock you and break your heart!

My Spoiler Free Review

This is my first time picking up a Runaways’ comic. I’ve heard of the group, especially now that there’s an upcoming tv show. However, I barely know anything about them. When I heard of Rainbow Rowell writing this series, though, I couldn’t resist to put it on my pull list¹. (I love all of her books and can’t wait to see how she’s going to do with this series. I also believe that it’s her first time publishing a comic with Marvel and this is a huge chance for her.) I love picking up new comics and getting to know the world and the characters without any forehand knowledge.

The first issue is already packed with action and it gives a short introduction to the characters. I believe that you can understand it pretty well without any prior knowledge, although I don’t know anything about the past adventures that led to this new happening. We get “reminded” that most of the Runaways are dead, but this issue already reunites some of the old gang, even those believed dead.

This series looks very promising and I can’t wait to continue with the next issue. Usually going back in time to rescue someone who died never ends well in the superhero world so I’m eager to find out how this will run out. Also since there are supposably more than only one dead character I’m curious about how they plan to get the rest (or at least some of them) back, too, without repeating the entire time traveling process each time.

With some quick internet research it’s quite simple to get a little overview on the original Runaways gang, so if you’re worried you won’t understand anything in this new series: don’t be! And be careful! This will not be a sunshine and rainbow kind of comic series. It never is, when the Runaways are involved.

I'd like to know

Are you going to pick up the new Runaways series or did you even beat me to it? Isn’t the cover just great? Have you read any of Rowell’s other books? I’d love to chat more about this with you guys in the comments!

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^{1 A pull list (in comic terms) is an agreement with your local comic book store for reservation of particular comic books. This way you receive the comics you regularly read two-weekly or monthly basis, so you don’t miss out on any issues because they’re specifically reserved for you."↩"}

Mini Book Reviews: ACOTAR & Carry On

Once upon a time it was December in 2016. I finished two books and didn't even manage to review them. So I decided to share those reviews with you today, here and now. These are a little shorter versions of my usual reviews and don't go into the story too deep because I don't have all too much time right now, but I'd love to talk about these books anyways because they're AWESOME! :)

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About the book

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, High Fantasy

Published: May 5th, 2015

Read: December 2016

My Copy

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Cover: Paperback

Purchase Location: Kinokuniya Singapore

My Rating:

Goodreads Summary

Feyre is a huntress. She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price... Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy's kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captor's body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked - but his piercing stare draws her ever closer. As Feyre's feeling for Tamlin begin to burn through every warning she's been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows. Feyre must find a way to break a spell, or lose her heart forever.

My Review

I felt kind of forced to read this book because EVERYBODY was talking about it. Well, I don’t mind really, reading books that are hyped about, because I usually love them (yeah, I know, I’m too mainstream. I usually like every single book I pick up, but seriously, I wouldn’t pick up a book if I didn’t think I’d like it so that solves that kind of problem, right?). However, I didn’t feel as flabbergasted or senselessly in love with the story as everybody else seemed to be...

Don’t get me wrong! I enjoyed reading the book and I think it makes for a good story. I think the main reason I didn’t like this book all too much is my own fault. It took me two and a half months to finish it and that just took a lot of patience out of me. I guess I shouldn’t have started it at the beginning of my first semester at Uni. I still felt this book deserved a four star rating from me, though.

The story was actually pretty interesting (it’s been a long time since I’ve read a fantasy book which such an imaginative world, and I really want to read these kind of fantasy books more often) and there were a lot plot twists and turns. I really liked the characters and feel like Sarah J. Maas did a really great job in creating this new fantasy-place.

Maybe the story felt a little too slow-paced for me, and there are definitely chapters that could have been shortened a lot in my opinion, but I liked Sarah’s writing style a lot! This is my first book of hers and I’m definitely going to continue the series and even start the Throne of Glass series sometime.

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About the book Title: Carry On Author: Rainbow Rowell Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Lgbt, Magic Published: October 8th, 2015 Read: December 2016 My Copy Publisher: Macmillan Edition: Paperback Purchase Location: Waterstones London

My Rating:

Goodreads Summary

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who's ever been chosen. That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. Half the time Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here - it's their last year at Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. Carry On is a love letter to love stories and the power of words - to every 'chosen one' who ever had more on their mind than saving the world...

My Review

I can finally say it! I’ve nearly read every single book by Rainbow Rowell (there’s only My True Love Gave to Me left for me to read). I’ve loved most of them and this is definitely one of my favourites. I was skeptical at first because a lot of people disliked it because of its supposedly being a rip off of Harry Potter (and when it comes to HP I’m really overprotective). Honestly, I did not go far into that theory and didn’t research it either (so I have no clue what Rainbow’s reaction to this is). But I say: WHO CARES? Because Carry On is seriously such a cute story!

If it’s really fanfiction about Draco and Harry, then I must say: Well done. I really adored the story of the two nemesis, although we’re basically thrown into their “ending” part of the story. If you’ve read Fangirl like me, then you know that Carry On was the fan fiction Cath wrote about her favourite children books about Simon Snow. And now we got the actual story she wrote and it’s great!

There are similarities to Harry Potter, so I cannot deny that those allegations aren’t based on solid grounds, but I find it really well done. We all need some fan fiction now and then and turning it into such a great book needs a lot of talent. Carry On is definitely one of those books that I’m probably going to reread endless times, because it just makes you feel happy and be in a good mood and is a perfect read for a rainy day!

I'd like to know

Does anybody know if Rainbow is planning on bringing out a new book sometime soon? I need new reading material from her and I just want to cuddle up with a new fantastic story written by her. Also, let me know how YOU felt about these books! I'd love to talk more about them with you :)

Mini Book Reviews: Kindred Spirits, The Kill Order, The Last Star

Hey there! Today I decided it was time to sum up all the books I've read in the past few months, but haven't reviewed yet. Because some of them have been read quite a while ago and I don't have the best of memories, or I just don't want to talk too much about them because I didn't enjoy them quite as much as I'd have liked to, I'm starting a new kind of Book Review post. It's going to be a Mini Book Review series, where basically I just review a few books at a time in shorter versions.

Today I'm going to review the following three books: Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell, The Kill Order by James Dashner and The Last Star by Rick Yancey. The first two are quite recent reads and The Last Star I read rather further back in 2016. As always, if you click on the cover you'll get to the goodreads page.

  

Book Review: Attachments

About the novel

Title: Attachments

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, (Young) Adult

Published: March 27th 2012

Read: March 2016

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

My Copy

Publisher: Plume

Cover: Paperback

Purchase Location: Kinokunyia, Singapore

Goodreads Summary

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories. By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself. What would he say . . . ?

Book Review: Fangirl

Published September 10, 2013
★★★★★

Goodreads Summary: Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life. Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible ...

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is a Young-Adult Fiction book that left me at first with only one thought: I have a new crush. Levi. I think he's the cutest character ever. Everytime I read a new Rainbow Rowell book I fall for a new character. Her worlds are fascinating. It's like I can never ever get enough and I really don't want to escape her fictional worlds. Fangirl is my favourite yet because I can really relate to Cath. It's refreshing to read a book that involves Fanfiction that much and to read about how important in one's life it can be. I think what I really like about Cath is that she isn't the adventure-seeking kind of girl as her sister, but she's down to earth, doesn't really like people and just wants to keep to herself in her own world.