Publisher: IDW Publishing Page Count: 172 Fiction Genre: Horror, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Supernatural Dates Read: September 11, 2015 Summary Many years before Charles Manx met Victoria McQueen, he bought his first car, a Wraith. Here begins the long horrifying story of Charles Manx; the story of how Christmasland and NOS4A2 came to be. Review Superb art work! The was a bit weak and didn't always match up with NOS4A2, and there were some holes about Manx's past that were mentioned in NOS4A2, but I do not think I would have noticed it as much had I not read them back to back. No matter what, it was great to see where it all started. Definitely a great read, and beautiful art work. I recommend reading it, but read it after you have read NOS4A2. Because Wraith is a weaker story, I don't think I would have been as motivated to read NOS4A2 if I had read this one first. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 7 Pace - 6 Plot Development - 7 Characters - 6 Enjoyability - 6 Insightfulness - 4 Ease of Reading - 5 Photos/Illustrations - 6 Overall Rating - 3 out of 5 stars
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Publisher: William Morrow Page Count: 692 Fiction Genre: Horror. Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural Dates Read: September 7-10, 2015 Summary Victoria McQueen is an unusual little girl, she can ride her bike onto a magical bridge that will take her to any place she thinks of. One day she inadvertently meets Charles Manx and the children of Christmasland, and just barely escapes Manx's murderous hand. Many years later, Victoria has lost her bike that took her onto the magic bridge, but she still hears the children of Christmasland when they call her on the phone. Now Manx has her only son, Bruce Wayne, and she must find her way back to Christmasland to save him. Review NOS4A2, pronounced like "Nosferatu", the German vampire, is an outstanding piece of work by Hill. My favorite so far. NOS4A2 is well written and wonderfully developed. All the characters mean something to you, even the ones you don't want to care about. Victoria has a gritty life that has not been easy, especially since her first run in with Manx, but you can't give up on her; you feel compelled to cheer her on. Manx is a pretty nasty character, but nothing is as creepy as the children of Christmasland. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 9 Pace - 7 Plot Development - 6 Characters - 7 Enjoyability - 8 Insightfulness - 5 Ease of Reading - 7 Photos/Illustrations - N/A Overall Rating - 4 out of 5 stars Publisher: Anchor Page Count: 371 Fiction Genre: American, Family, Adult, Retelling Dates Read: September 4-8, 2015 Summary When patriarch Larry Cook decides to retire from his prosperous Iowa farm, he decides to divide it between his three daughters, but the youngest daughter, Caroline, quickly finds herself disinherited. Oldest daughter Ginny is determined to keep her family together, but soon her childhood memories come flooding back. Review King Lear set on an Iowa farm. I cannot give you my full feedback on this without spoiling it for you, but let me just say this was a horrible bastardized version of a literature classic. Smiley basic raped Shakespeare work. The writing is as dry as a corn field during a rainless August, and the story just drags on. The one thing I enjoyed about this book was Ginny I felt that she was the only character that Smiley spent any time developing. Ginny worked hard and knew so much heart-ache. All she wanted was for his sisters to be happy and healthy, and to have children of her own. A Thousand Acres was long, dull, and boring, and seemed to take a long time to go nowhere. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 6 Pace - 3 Plot Development - 4 Characters - 5 Enjoyability - 4 Insightfulness - 5 Ease of Reading - 6 Photos/Illustrations - N/A Overall Rating - 2 out of 5 stars Publisher: Dramatics Play Service Page Count: 96 Fiction Genre: Play, Drama, Theatre, Classic Dates Read: September 4, 2015 Summary Jessie is tired. She's tired of her life, of disappointment, or heart-aches, and fight. Jessie wants to die. Recently divorced, Jessie has moved back in with her widowed mother, along with her wild-child teenage son. On a lonely night, Jessie shares her death plan with her mother, and there begins the play as her mother tries everything she can to get Jessie to change her mind. Review This play left me speechless. Norman did a great job writing on such a heavy and sensitive subject of suicide. I was not expecting that. I felt like it was an honest reflection of someone who is determined to end their life. It feels weird to say, but I loved this play. It is really good. It's dark yet honest, and very raw. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 9 Pace - 10 Plot Development - 9 Characters - 8 Enjoyability - 9 Insightfulness - 7 Ease of Reading - 9 Photos/Illustrations - N/A Overall Rating - 5 out of 5 stars Publisher: Cherokee Publishing Page Count: 268 Fiction Genre: Historical, American-Lit., Classic Dates Read: August 31-September 3, 2015 Summary Wully is in love with Christie, but doesn't realize it he's about tp return to the fight in the Civil War. Wully promises Christie that as soon as he returns they will get married and start their lives together. Christie is excited about her future. Though her father is recently deceased, and her mother is severely depressed, Christie carries on with her days, caring for her younger siblings, and waiting for Wully's return. Wully is shocked he he comes home to find that Christie is not the sweet loving girl he left behind. She's not scared and pregnant with another man's child. This does not matter to Wully, he loves Christie unconditionally, and follows through with his promise, even if it means taking credit for Christie's baby and shaming his family's name. Review I had to talk myself into picking this book up. I made the mistake of reading reviews before had and saw so much hate for this book. I was dreading what was between the covers. I am so happy the dread was pointless. I loved this book. Wilson decorates the pages with beautiful and heart-felt prose that make your heart ache for Christie and fall in love with Wully for being such a good human. Growing up in Iowa and spending a lot of time in small towns, I can tell you that this is still very reflective of life there. Neighbors know each other, care about one another, and community actually means something. So does someone's family name and reputation; these things are more important than your credit score. Much like Wilson's Iowa town, small town Iowans look out for one another. Ratings (based on a 10 point scale) Quality of Writing - 8 Pace - 6 Plot Development - 7 Characters - 8 Enjoyability - 9 Insightfulness - 6 Ease of Reading - 7 Photos/Illustrations - N/A Overall Rating - 5 out of 5 stars |
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