Monthly Archives: June 2021

Wanderlust Los Angeles by Betsy Beier

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Talvi

This is a gem – a great idea that is executed well. It is one part guide book, one part journal, and one part adult coloring book. Whether you live in Los Angeles or are just visiting, it is a … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, non fiction, nonfiction | Leave a comment

Overwatch Tracer – London Calling by Mariko Tamaki, Babs Tarr, Rachael Cohen

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Talvi

With London Calling, we learn more about the events covered in the Cinematic ALIVE (Widow vs Tracer) and are introduced to a new upcoming villain teased at the end of the Storm Rising event and likely to be active in … Continue reading →

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The Mall Don Handfield, James Haick III, Rafael Loureiro

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Talvi

The Mall feels very heavily plotted and lacks an organic quality and heart. The historical aspects of 1985 Florida never really hit well, the mafia storyline is particularly ugly, and none of these kids are very likable. The ending is … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, graphic novel, Historical | Leave a comment

Captivated By You by Yama Wayama

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Talvi

Imagine if an author went to your high school and wrote little side stories about the more unusual and quirkier classmates – you’d get this book. More a slice of life and stream of consciousness type of storytelling, Captivated By … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Book Reviews, contemporary, manga | Leave a comment

My Name’s Yours, What’s Alaska? by Alaska Thunderfuck 5000

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Talvi

This is a very quick read that mostly is a biography told in snippets. When you add in all the photographs, you likely won’t need much more than an hour to finish. That is both good and bad in that … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, biography, non fiction, nonfiction | Leave a comment

Girl In Dior by Annie Goetzinger

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Talvi

Girl in Dior is a love letter to haute couture – where the emphasis is on faithfully recreating the remarkable dresses made by Christian Dior in his final 10 years in the 1950s. Those looking for a compelling story or … Continue reading →

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The Art of Extreme Wig Styling by Regan Cerato

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Talvi

This is a very thorough book with plenty of photographs, tips, and tutorials. It also includes several diverse projects with step-by-step instructions on how to create that particular wig. More than that, there is a whole section to help you … Continue reading →

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Needle & Thread by David Pinckney, Ennun Ana Iurov, Micah Myers

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Talvi

This is a very cute and nice read. No, it doesn’t break any rules or cross into new storytelling territories: it’s the usual “politician’s daughter has to be perfect” and “I want to do an artistic career but my parents … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, contemporary, graphic novel, teen | Leave a comment

Blue Flag Volume 8 by Kaito

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Talvi

This was such a beautiful manga – from start to finish the nuance, pathos, and emotional richness made this title a stand out. The basis for the story was always about choices; while romance was a major choice that the … Continue reading →

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Gearbreakers (Gearbreakers, #1) by Zoe Hana Mikuta

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Talvi

Gearbreaks is a nice antidote to many YA books in that our heroines are much more nuanced than simple ‘good person fighting bad guys.’ The author does not shy away from the young women killing masses and messily nor being … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Book Reviews, dysotpian, dystopian, sci fi, sci-fi, science fiction | Leave a comment

The Dragon Prince: Book Two: Sky by Aaron Ehasz, Melanie McGanney Ehasz

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Talvi

The Dragon Prince, Book 2: Sky is a novelized version of the TV show’s second season: it begins where the season starts and ends in the same place, covering all the events that happen in the second season episodes. This … Continue reading →

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Avatar The Last Airbender: Suki, Alone by Faith Erin Hicks, Peter Wartman, Adele Matera

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Talvi

This graphic novel takes place right before the time of the events from Boiling Rock (episode 14 from the third season of the show). It gives us a glimpse into Suki’s time in the prison as well as a few … Continue reading →

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Undaunted by Jack Colrain

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Talvi

In all honesty, I did not enjoy this book and had a hard time pushing through after around 50% through. It’s not a bad book but it kind of falls victim to a lot of the shortcomings of military sci … Continue reading →

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Ooku Volume 18 by Fumi Yoshinaga

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Talvi

With this penultimate volume in the long running series, we see the Tokugawa Shogunate crumbling as vassals abandon Iemochi Tokugawa, beri beri deaths sweep Japan, Western forces exert influence, and powerful province leaders seek to make puppets of the Imperial … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, AU, Book Reviews, Historical | Leave a comment

The Witch Haven by Sasha Payton Smith

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Talvi

Witch Haven is a nicely atmospheric historical urban fantasy that, while diverting, had some frustrating inconsistencies. As a milieu, 1910s New York is only a side character when it should have shined. The heroine (and most of the other characters) … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Book Reviews, Historical, urban fantasy, YA | Leave a comment

The Bones of Ruin by Sara Raughley

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Talvi

This is an interesting story with many layers in the storytelling. At the same time, the characters felt simplistic, unrealistic, and the story dragged rather than thrilled. This fantastical Victorian London never resonated as a true place and Iris’ African … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Book Reviews, Historical, urban fantasy | Leave a comment

A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Talvi

This is a beautifully written and atmospheric retelling of the Swan Maiden fable using medieval Scotland as a setting. Contrasting against the somewhat cartoonish cover, the book can be very dark and does not shy away from violence. But it … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, Fantasy | Leave a comment

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Talvi

What should have been a fun romp of a romance was instead a very contrived plot married to an overly melodramatic heroine that was hard to respect or even like. It was not silly fun read – just annoying. Story: … Continue reading →

Posted in ARC, contemporary, romance | Leave a comment