February Wrap-Up 2017!

I slowed down some on my reading in February. I didn't reach the epicness that I managed in January. I didn't read anything I really loved in February. There was one book I liked, two books that were okay, one that I really didn't like, and one that failed to impress me. So, here's what I read.

 

  

--The Revolution of Ivy (#2) by Amy Engel-- Rating: 4/5-- This book was one of the only ones I really enjoyed reading this month. By finishing this, I also finished a series, Yayy Me! I think this duology is really fun, and the romance is just destined. This finale wasn't as good as the first book, The Book of Ivy, but it was still pretty good.

--Flying (#1) by Carrie Jones-- Rating: 2.5/5-- This was my least favorite of the month. It had a cool concept of an alien hunting teenager, but it never reached that potential the premise promised. I found the main character to be super annoying and childish. I didn't like her, which is why I didn't end up enjoying the book.

--Y: The Last Man, Volume 9: Motherland by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Goran Sudzuka, Jose Marzan, Jr.-- Rating: 3.7/5-- This Volume was fine. I really do enjoy this series. I'm excited to almost be finished with the series. I've got one more Volume to go and then I will know all! And hopefully what really did happen to all the men, and if the world can be saved. I hope it ends well.

--The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn (#3.5) by Kady Cross-- Rating: 3/5-- This is a novella in one of my favorite steampunk series. It follows the adventures of Jasper Renn during the time period of the third book. It's supposed to explain what he was doing while all the other characters were looking for Emily. I thought this novella was pretty pointless to the overall series. It's really not a must to read it, which is how I tend to judge novellas. Should it really even exist? Does it add anything to the overall series? This novella is pretty much just a love fest between Wildcat and Jasper. It's not even a fun love fest, I kind of felt like that awkward third wheel that's been dragged along with a friend and her boyfriend. The characters already knew each other, they'd already been in a relationship before, so all the fun back-and-forth chemistry had already happened. This was just meh.

--The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet (#1) by Becky Chambers-- Rating: 3.2/5-- This was my disappointing read of the month, in that it didn't turn out as awesome as I was expecting. This book is overhyped. It's got some cool characters, but no plot. It took me longer to read it, and I kind of got bored at some points. There were just a bunch of little vignettes, with this crew stopping here and there, but it had no overall driving plot. I was just disappointed. I wanted to love it and I just didn't.

TV Shows, Netflix, and Entertainment

I finished two shows this month and thought I'd talk about them too!

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix)

I really enjoyed this adaptation Netflix did of A Series of Unfortunate Events. It covered the first four books (I've only read the first three, I wanted to reread the books before I watched this, but that didn't happen). I really enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf. All his costumes and accents were pretty funny. I also really like all his henchmen, or his acting troupe as they liked to be called. I really enjoyed the humor in this adaptation. The kids were all right. I thought the baby who played Sunny was adorable. The older kids were okay, they were a little depressing, but because of the story, they were supposed to be. If and or When Netflix comes out with a Season 2, I will watch it.

Fear The Walking Dead Season 2 on DVD (from library)

This Season was just craziness. Not so much crazy, intense action, but just really weird characters. Season 2 finds our characters out on the open sea, in a luxury yacht called the Abigail. The yacht seems to be owned by Strand, who Nick met while being held in the confinement center. The sea proves just as dangerous as the land, when it comes to mean people and zombies.

Nick has to be the weirdest character I've watched in awhile. He's just strange. Not necessarily strange in a bad way, strange in a way that I kind of want to keep on watching. The actor who plays Nick is strange too. The DVD included a bunch of extras, one of which was a kind of convention where the actors were on stage being interviewed. The guy that plays Nick shambled on, in this old man looking suit, his hair was all ratty, he looked like he just stepped off the set of the show. He also couldn't sit still. It was so weird to watch him.

The Chris character also had a crazy journey that his dad got dragged along on too. I won't say what happens on that journey, just that it wasn't what I expected.

The Walking Dead is still my favorite when it comes to this universe, but I did enjoy Fear The Walking Dead. I wish I could watch it on Netflix, but I think they made a deal with Hulu, so it only plays on there.

So that was my February 2017. How was yours? Did you read anything good, bad, meh? Did you watch anything good? Let me know!

Review: Endless (Shadowlands #3) by Kate Brian

Title: Endless (Shadowlands #3)

Author: Kate Brian

Published by: Hyperion

Released: 2014

Summary: Juniper Island is struggling. Paradise has turned in to an island plagued by constant rain, fog, and suspicion. The balance has been upset and must be fixed. The residents' of Juniper Island must fix the wrongs and catch the ones responsible before it's too late.

My Thoughts: This series is so addictive and I LOVE IT! This finale did not disappoint. I was pretty pleased with how everything turned out, and mostly okay with how everything wrapped up.

I'm still pretty amazed that this whole series took place in the span of two weeks. That is just crazy for me.

I don't know how I feel about the love triangle Rory ended up in. I don't know if it was needed. I think if I'd had to pick, I'd have gone with Joaquin. He's been the dependable, protective guy in all the books, and I would have gone for that. Joaquin made my heart pitter patter ;)

I also don't understand why Tristan ran and stayed hidden for so long. That was never really explained. An innocent person doesn't run. Maybe that's part of the reason I went with Joaquin.

I kind of suspected who the traitor of the island was. There were some clues given that kind of gave it away. The villain might still shock some people though.

The ending, I liked, but kind of wanted more. I guess I wanted to see the island at peace and fulfilling the purpose it was designed for. Like a fast-forward in time to see how Rory was doing and how the island was doing. Just a little more closure would have been nice.

This series was so good, and so fun! I really enjoyed it. The whole series is so addicting and I flew through them. I definitely recommend reading them!

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

So Addictive!

Reading Right Now! (104)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

--The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers-- and...

I'm struggling. My main problem, this book really has no plot. Everyone goes on and on about the fantastic characters, and they can be entertaining, but I just need some type of plot, some purpose to this whole thing. I'm a fan of character driven novels, but they've got to have some draw to keep me reading. I don't really feel like this does. 

Some could argue that the overall plot is journeying to the Toremi space to complete this job, and maybe I could buy that, if the trip hadn't taken forever!!!

I'm currently on page 330, so I can see the end in sight. If I didn't have this weird thing with having to finish all the books I read, I would have quit this one already. This book is overhyped. It's boring. Sure the characters are okay, but that's all it's got going for it.

There's been some relationships that just cause me to scratch my head. Like a guy falling in love with the AI, ummm... she's essentially a computer program. I'm not feeling the chemistry. I once watched a documentary about people who fell in love with inanimate objects, like trains, a ferris wheel, bridges, and a pair of speakers, and I thought that was weird too. Also Rosemary's  crush/thing came out of left-field for me and I don't really buy it.

I won't apologize for my opinions. If you love it, great! I'm happy for you, but books are a subjective thing, not everyone has to like the same thing. I'll probably have a lot to say in my review when I do finally finish this. I just expected this wonderful, fantabulous book, and am disappointed by the reality.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

book cover is from www.goodreads.com

other images/gifs are from a google image search

Around The Year in 52 Books: Week 32

WEEK 32:

A Book With A Long Title (5+ Words, Excluding Subtitle)

PROGRESS POST

1. What are you reading this week?

I'm reading The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet (#1) by Becky Chambers

2. Did you have a hard time finding a book with a long title?

Kind of. I think what I had the hardest time with is finding a title that was long, and didn't contain a bunch of the's, a's, and to's.

3. Do you think the title was fitting for the book?

Yes, I think the title was a good fit for the book. Pretty much explained what was going on.

4. If you were choosing a title for the book, would you keep the author's title? If not, what title would you give the book?

Yes, I would keep the author's title. I think it fits the book, and the story.

So that's what I'm reading for this week's challenge. You should go and participate too! Check out the group here!

Review: The 100: Homecoming (The 100 #3) by Kass Morgan

Title: The 100: Homecoming (The 100 #3)

Author: Kass Morgan

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Released: 2015

Source: Library

Summary: The dropships from the rest of the Arc are on their way to Earth. Unfortunately, not everyone made it onto a dropship. At first, The 100 are excited and overwhelmed by the new company. Turmoil then rears its ugly head. Some people want the rules that governed the Arc to be the rules that govern the Ground. How will everyone live peacefully together on this place they can finally call home? The drama isn't over yet for Wells, Clarke, Bellamy, Glass, and Luke.

My Thoughts: As always, I love The 100 anything! I started reading this just after the Season 3 finale of the show, which could have had some impact on my thoughts. I've been in a weird mood since the show ended. I have this sense of loss. I also have nothing to look forward to watching on Thursday nights. Is anyone in the same boat as me? (Funny enough, this review was written awhile ago, and Season 4 of The 100 is now airing, so I'm not as sad. I get to watch The 100 again!!!)

Season 3 of The 100 was just a meh season for me, and that's kind of the same way I feel about the book. I think I liked the first two a little more. There were still some good shocks and surprises with this one, but the first two were just more exciting.

The whole novel takes place on Earth. We've got interactions between the Earthborns and the Spaceborns. We also get a new villain in Vice Chancellor Rhodes. He wants the space rules to apply to the Ground, which means people can't live free, and can get into trouble for dumb things. Rhodes got on my nerves, especially when he tried to hurt a certain someone.

There were definitely a few shocking scenes in this installment. One that I didn't see coming at all and feel kind of sad about.

I think I missed space. All the craziness that happened up there in the previous books. I really did enjoy that aspect of the story. I also missed the flashbacks. Homecoming really only had a few flashbacks and they were all very short.

Things got wrapped up very quickly in the end, again. Maybe that's why I wasn't that worried during any of the battles. I had a feeling that most everyone would get out okay. I also wasn't happy with how the ships/Jaha story wrapped up.
All in all, this was just an average read. It wasn't my favorite of the series. It had some shocking and unexpected bits that I enjoyed. I am excited to learn there will be a fourth book to the series. Can't wait to see where that goes.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.5/5

Danger Danger Everywhere!

Reading Right Now! (103)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

  

I'm trying to do that thing where I read more than one book at a time. It hasn't worked for me before, but try, try again. So here's the books I've got on my list:

--The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet (#1) by Becky Chambers-- This is the one I'm farthest in so far. It's been described as a space opera, and I down to read a book like that. During the past 2 years or so, I've discovered that I really like space/sci-fi books. I'm only about 35 pages in, so I really don't know too much about what's going to go on in this book. So far, I've learned of a character named Rosemary, who's running from something, and she has just gotten a job on this ship called the Wayfayer. Looks like there are a cast of characters on this ship. And that's it, that's all I know. So far, I'm liking it.

--The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn (#3.5) by Kady Cross-- I've read a chapter of this novella so far, and I think I'll enjoy it. It is a part of Kady Cross's Steampunk Series, and I'm already a big fan. This novella concerns where Jasper Renn was during the third book (I think) and explores his relationship with Wildcat. I think this one is going to be a good time.

--Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu-- I haven't started this one yet, but I'm planning to. I think this one involves a crime, where a boy disappears, and then mysteriously comes back. I'm sure there are secrets, and twists, and turns that will reveal themselves.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Tell me in the comments below. Sorry for the blog being in-active, or not as active this past week. I had plans for posts, but then I got lazy. I was going to do a review for The 100 Season 4, Episode 2, but the site where I get my screencap pictures hasn't uploaded the screencaps for Episodes 2 and 3. Just know I'm really enjoying this Season so far. I want more people to watch The 100. I need a Season Five!!!!

Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Favorite Non-Written Novels (graphic novels, comics, manga, and more)

These week's Top 5 Wednesday is our Top 5 Favorite Non-Written Novels! This is exciting. Non-Written novels would include things like graphic novels, comics, and manga. I love comics, mangas, and graphic novels. They can be so refreshing to read between the long, traditional novels. If you haven't tried out a book/story in this format, I highly recommend you do. I was introduced to manga in middle school. I had a friend who's sister loved manga, and I got to borrow some of it. I was introduced to comics and graphic novels since joining booktube and all the other bookish communities since 2012. Here are some of my favorite non-written novels.

 

  

--Fushigi Yugi (The Mysterious Play) by Yuu Watase-- This is a manga that I started in middle school and it continues to hold a special place in my heart. I'm a really big fan of Yuu Watase. I've read a lot of her stuff, but Fushigi Yugi was the first, and therefore special. 

This series is about a girl named Miaka who finds herself mysteriously transported to a different world and different time. She finds out she's special, a chosen one, and has special warriors who have been called to protect her. 

Now, be warned, Miaka can be kind of annoying, but the love story is sweet and I love all the side characters.

--Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and Goran Sudzuka-- I've been reading this series the past year and some change, and I've been enjoying it. Is it my absolute favorite thing ever? Probably not, but I've been having fun reading through the series. I'm on Volume 9 now, which means I only have one more Volume left until I'm finished with the whole thing. This series is about a plague or an event, I'm still not really all that sure, that wipes out every single male of every species on Earth. The only man to survive is Yorick Brown and his male pet monkey Ampersand. He gets put under the protection of Agent 355, who takes him across the country and the world to search for a cure.

This one is written by the oh-so-popular Brian K. Vaughan. Yes, he's the one of Saga fame. I thought about putting Saga on the list, but while I like Saga, I don't think I'm in love with it.

--Marmalade Boy by Wataru Yoshizumi-- This was the first manga I really go into, so it holds a special place in my heart. It was the first manga that I would go to bookstores and buy the volumes for. It's essentially a cute love story between two teens, who become step siblings because their moms marry each other's dads. Yes you read that right. It might sound a little icky, with that whole brother/sister thing, but they aren't really related. I just loved it. I loved the art, I loved the story, I loved the sweet little romance. I really wish that my book hoarding phase had been as strong then, because I regret selling them off.

--iZombie by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred-- This series I just find fun. I love the art work. I wanted to check it out because of the CW show, which I don't really watch, but the concept was interesting to me. It's essentially about a girl who gets turned into a zombie. The only way to protect herself from turning into a shambling, hungry corpse is to eat a brain every now and again. She works as a gravedigger, which is how she gets her brains. Once she eats the brain of the recently deceased, she is bombarded by their memories, and sometimes has to go bring the dead peace.

She's also friends with a were-terrier, a ghost, and she kind of has a crush on a monster hunter.

--Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory-- This series is my favorite!! I love the humor of it, the art style. It's so fun. It's about this guy named Tony Chew who has this special ability to eat things and tell exactly where they come from and what happened to them. He works to solve crimes.

Tony and his partner John totally remind me of Miles and Sawyer from Lost, I LOVE IT!

I love reading this series. It's just fun and it makes me laugh. I think the final volume just came out.

So that's my Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Non-Written Novels. Have I interested you in any of them? Do we share any favorites? Let me know in the comments below. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a fun, new topic to think about and answer. Check out all the other Wednesday-ers HERE!