Review: Falling Kingdoms

Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, book 1) by Morgan Rhodes (AKA Michelle Rowen)

Genre: Epic Fantasy Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Falling Kingdoms

The gripping New York Times bestseller that is Game of Thrones for teens

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

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Review:

Yesssssssssssssssss! Amen! All right! Beyond a doubt this is the type of fantasy I've been waiting for to enter the young adult genre. Don't get me wrong I love YA fantasy. Yet so few barely ever can claim to be epic (epic/high) fantasy. Bless you Morgan Rhodes (AKA Michelle Rowen) for listening. Or more likely deciding that readers needed this! After reading Throne of Glass I feared this was just another attempt at marketers to hype up a book by calling it “the Game of Thrones for young adults.” Oh it is. In one shocking instant Rhodes killed one of my favorite characters and I was heart broken. And yet, happy to finally read a fearless YA author again!

There are four main characters that the POV changes between and I found them all fascinating.  The spoiled Princess Cleo who's lived a sheltered life actually became my favorite. Rhodes does a wonderful job of showing how despite Cloe's wealth she's still trapped by her rank and apparent position. Her determination and hope is so powerful that I couldn't help but love her. Jonas is a strong willed lad who loses his brother. The injustices of the world cause him to become a rebel and lead his country into an uprising. Magnus is the first born Prince to a an evil king and ice cold queen. His journey was the most fascinating as he can either turn into the biggest hero or the most dastardly of villains. Lucia is the girl who finds out she's not only adopted, but has powers that are awakening. Her moral battle is just the beginning. The other minor characters that take turns with the POV are also just as interesting. At first they all seem like the stereotypical characters for the genre, but then readers go deeper.

The world of Mystica and the three kingdoms that comprise it. Spending time in each kingdom was a treat. From the lush and wealthy Auranos to Paelsia a starving and dying land. Even the violent and cruel land of Limeros is . . . chilling . . . but awesome! The historical points and lost magic is an engaging plot line as it’s slowly revealed. The idea of all these magical beings lurking in the background—supposedly good—waiting for the magical artifacts makes my High/Epic Fantasy soul rejoice.

YA Fantasy readers have been enjoying the genre, but we've been mixing the complexity of the epic! Readers can't snooze with this one! Politics, battles, backstabbing, death, moral gray areas, good and evil, love, horror, and so much more! This title and world is so well realized that I believe “adult titles” only readers will enjoy this one. If you were disappointed in Throne of Glass and Shadow and Bone to deliver High/Epic fantasy, don't worry. Falling Kingdoms is here to kiss your boo-boos and make it all better.

Sexual Content: References to sex, kissing, sexual humor, and such. This is not a clean YA title, it’s pretty mature. Dealing with death, sex, betrayal, and more.

5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Falling Kingdoms (1) Rebel Spring (2) Gathering Darkness (3) Untitled (4)	Falling Kingdoms (1) Rebel Spring (2) Gathering Darkness (3) Untitled (4)	Falling Kingdoms (1) Rebel Spring (2) Gathering Darkness (3) Untitled (4)

Review: Sailor Moon Volume 3

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 3 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, book 3) by Naoko Takeuchi

Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sailor Moon Volume 3

Tuxedo Mask gone bad?! As more of her closest allies fall under the power of the evil Queen Beryl, Usagi comes closer to discovering the truth behind her past. The stage is set for an all-out battle for the fate of Earth between the Sailor Guardians and the forces of evil. But when the dust settles, a little girl calling herself “Usagi” falls from the sky and right into the arms of Mamoru. What is her connection to Sailor Moon and why does she want the Legendary Silver Crystal?

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Review:

Ah, the end of the Dark Kingdom arc, and the beginning of the Black Moon Arc. While I thoroughly enjoyed the finale of the Dark Kingdom arc, and I have to say I have a bit of a girl crush on Sailor Venus now, it was choppy. Which surprises me as this is the third addition to the series. Usually meaning story and art panels become smoother. Not choppier. The finale was indeed choppy. If it had been a bit smoother this volume probably would have gotten a higher rating from me. Alas, the chop-chop and then the "villain of the week" comes back. And even they were a tad skippy.

That being said, I really-really-really liked the wrap up of the Dark Kingdom arc. The romance between Usagi and Mamoru has hit that beautiful sweet spot. Or as I like to call it, the "ahhhhhh" moment. Combining past lives into a present day romance, tragedy, and by it's own right a happy ending. While it's not the end, clearly, it's a happy one for the story arc. Even better, is that while Usagi and Princess Serenity officially become one, Usagi states it's still her. There is a more mature side of her present and continues to grow, but I still love that she’s still her silly self. Which readers get to see in old-school Princess Serenity.

I'm still a weeeee bit bummed that the other characters aren't getting more development. There's some, especially as someone is slowly picking off the Scouts. But it doesn't really make me feel closer to the ladies. Sailor Venus had some amazing page time as the true leader of the Sailor Scout’s group as she does everything in her power to protect the Princess/Queen of the Moon. A-mazing. I can see why Takeuchi created SailorV first, and kept her in the Sailor Moon universe. (Yeah, see my girl crush is shining.)

The mini-Usagi, or Usa/Chibiusa, has been a character that made me lose interest in the Anime after she was introduced. (OK, I lied—again—I made an anime reference. Sorry!) Mainly because I found the character even more annoying then the Anime version of Usagi. Chibiusa really hasn't gotten much page time at this point. Instead of seeming like a brat, she comes off as a lost child. One who's lost her parents and clearly needs Sailor Moon's help. Now if only the Scouts could help themselves!

If it wasn't for the powerful ending of the Dark Kingdom arc 2/5 would be my solid rating. The new storyline isn't starting out terribly strong and the choppiness isn't helping. There are some moments that I did enjoy in the opening of the Black Moon arc. I just wish things were more . . . fleshed out. Dare I say, more time spent on opening this up. Yep, I'm saying maybe a chapter dedicated to getting to know our characters more and building up the new trouble brewing for our Sailor Scouts!

Sexual Content: Kissing. Clean. Maybe a bromance!

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12

Review: Dying is My Business

****Review copy received through Netgalley for an honest review.**** 

Dying is My Business (?, book 1) by Nicholas Kaufmann

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Kindle
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dying is my Business

Given his line of work in the employ of a psychotic Brooklyn crime boss, Trent finds himself on the wrong end of too many bullets. Yet each time he’s killed, he wakes a few minutes later completely healed of his wounds but with no memory of his past identity. What’s worse, each time he cheats death someone else dies in his place.

Sent to steal an antique box from some squatters in an abandoned warehouse near the West Side Highway, Trent soon finds himself stumbling into an age-old struggle between the forces of good and evil, revealing a secret world where dangerous magic turns people into inhuman monstrosities, where impossible creatures hide in plain sight, and where the line between the living and the dead is never quite clear. And when the mysterious box is opened, he discovers he has only twenty-four hours to save New York City from certain destruction.

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Review:

Wow, it feels so strange to say this about a male lead. But he's Too Stupid To Live! Kaufmann was clearly trying to make his main lead, Trent, a take action asks questions later kind of man. But fail. Every time Trent made a move it felt like I was continually yelling at him for making yet another stupid move. Magic and fantasy type things are real, let's keep shooting at things with a gun that doesn't phase them. Suddenly you have mad swordsmanship skills that you can actually hurt things and defend yourself with! Now forget taking a sword along, you’re useless gun is all you need. You're faced with a dragon, let's piss it off. That didn't kill it, let's keep trying with the same method. Finally you've got some people who can give you answers, let's get pissed off and yell at them pointlessly. Time up. No more questions. Every action Trent took . . . just ticked me off.

Trent is a man who woke up one year ago with no memories and as the cruel world would have it fell into the arms of some shady people. Who shot him. For no apparent reason. When he comes back to life—by draining one of their people mind you—the head boss gives him a place to live and money for the simple task of doing some really shady work. Trent accidentally kills a child and said boss just says better him then you. No matter what kind of memory loss you've got to know that something is WRONG. Also, just one week with these kinds of people should tell you all you need to know. The information that they've promised to find for Trent about who he really is, is never coming. Ever. Idiot.

His “redemption”, or at least what I think the author was trying to go for, didn't even feel real. The emotional connections were lacking too much. This book takes place in 3 days I think. Yet we're expected to believe that Trent magically goes through this transformation. Sure it's for a girl, love makes everything work faster. Going from cynic to silly-crush-man in the blink of an eye. The mentioned lack of emotions doesn't help solidified that story arc. None of the characters were very memorable, or ones I'd like to get to know. The love interest is very cool and I love her sensibleness and forgiveness. However, her love for Trent makes her a little sketchy in my mind. Their personalities would lead them to kill each other. Fast. Philip the Vampire was pretty cool and I'd love more background on him. One thing I will say is that my favorite character died, readers go in knowing this with the setup. Yet Kaufmann does a wonderful job at building the hope and belief that he'll live on. Which leads me to believe that Kaufmann can do more on that field.

The plot is pretty fun and this book brings a lot of action to the table. If you're bad at predicting plots this book will blow you away. If you can usually guess in advance, eh, no biggy. There is one little turn that I didn't see until about 80% through that I couldn't help but go, “Freaking awesome!” at. Kaufman can really make a great world. His version of fantasy filled New York is pretty cool, and I love how he played out that people don't want to see the unbelievable so they just feel in the blanks themselves. The mystery behind who and what Trent really is probably the most appealing aspect of this book. (Though I'm 99.9% positive I know what he is. Kudos to Kaufmann if he surprises me.)

To be honest I went in loving this book. Trent poisoned it for me. There was nothing that I remotely liked about him, except maybe his wit which kicked in a little too late for me. It's nice to see another male lead in the genre, truly. That is enough for me to continue with the next book. There's promise here. Kaufmann has talent, and I'm hoping the next book will really show it. If Trent's personality gets a tune up all the better. Oh, and if the romance and characters all get some TLC. (For some reasons male others rarely can write romances I care for. Sexist, I know.)

Sexual Content: Clean. There’s some kissing. Trent does indeed want to get a little something, something. Sexual humor.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Dying is My Business (1) Die and Stay Dead (2)	Dying is My Business (1) Die and Stay Dead (2)	Dying is My Business (1) Die and Stay Dead (2)

Review: Sailor Moon Volume 2

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, book 2) by Naoko Takeuchi

Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sailor Moon Volume 2

The mysterious Tuxedo Mask has revealed his identity, forcing Usagi to come to terms with her growing affections for the masked vigilante, all the while defending the people of Earth from renewed attacks by the sinister “enemy”. Everything threatens to overwhelm even Sailor Moon when suddenly a new Sailor Guardian appears. Could this new Guardian be the Moon Princess the Sailor Guardians are sworn to protect?

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Review:

Kukuku! This volume really surprised me! Especially the relationships between Usagi and Mamoru (Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask). Takeuchi did a wonderful job of making me feel for these two in such a short amount of time. Especially, once the all the scouts finally meet up—SailorV finally comes in. The whole Princess of the Moon was handled very well, and if the art for the missing princess had been a bit more vague I think it could have almost fooled readers. Make that a really big almost. Ok. No the readers would have never been fooled. Still it's the thought that counts.

The art is still gorgeous and the color pages are so pleasing! Ah, they're fantastic. It all goes together well with the memory reveals, and the origin story. Mythology! Yes, thank you! (It was sorely missing from the anime.) The tragic past of Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity is the right kind of tragedy and melodrama I love. Especially when there's plenty of sweet notes to make my cynical heart go all "ahhhhhhhhh!"

It can be argued that this volume still has it's "monster of the week plot". Let's be honest most super hero/fighting manga do. This time around Takeuchi does a wonderful job with volume two and lifts it up from the last volume’s cheesier standardized monster of the week fodder. Even more I enjoyed the gem stone guys—as I fondly call the guys named after rocks—when their twist came up. Which I wasn't expecting, but wish it could have been explored more! There was a hint of a lost love with Sailor Venus that is just begging to be realized!

It's a official I'm hooked! Volume 2 is a great indicator of how this series can grow. Usagi has already grown so much, but what I love is that deep down she's still the fun and lazy person she was before. She's just growing up. More growth on the other scouts would be the cherry on top, but there's still plenty of time for that. The funny thing is that harsh manga judge inside of me wants to give this series a lower rating, but I've been converted. Especially since Sailor Moon gets to save damsel Tuxedo Mask as well as be saved sometimes. It's official the manga is working for me, when the anime couldn't. (I lied, I mentioned the anime.)

Sexual Content: Some kissing not much else. Clean!

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12

Review: Sailor Moon Volume 1

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1 (Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Editions, book 1) by Naoko Takeuchi

Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sailor Moon Volume 1

Usagi Tsukino is a normal girl until she meets up with Luna, a talking cat, who tells her that she is Sailor Moon. As Sailor Moon, Usagi must fight evils and enforce justice, in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. She meets other girls destined to be Sailor Senshi (Sailor Scouts), and together, they fight the forces of evil!

This new edition of Sailor Moon will feature:

- An entirely new, incredibly accurate translation!
- Japanese-style, right-to-left reading!
- New cover art never before seen in the U.S.!
- The original Japanese character names!
- Detailed translation notes!

This version of Sailor Moon will be completely true to original. Join us as Sailor Moon returns to the U.S. for the first time in years!

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Review:

When I was just a little one I remember rushing home after school to catch the latest adventures of Sailor Moon. It was the only cartoon targeted for girls. Despite my love of TNMT, Batman the Animated series, Gargoyles, and so on I was only too eager to have a girly show. Years later I tried watching the anime . . . and it didn't work out so well. News of the anime reboot came out and I tried yet again! It was a fail, and I knew why now. I had enough anime viewing experience to easily realize why years ago I couldn't make it through the Sailor Moon anime. Fillers. Too much, everywhere. And I’m one of those OCD types that has to watch them all. In order. No skipping. Plus, it hit me how many of the characters were annoying. The fondness for the show as a child, who didn't quite understand how formulaic and repetitive each episode was. (Though the character did annoy me then as well.) That fondness has always stayed with me and I’ve always wished that I could jump in on the series and finally meet all the new characters that I never got to see (it was pulled of of none cable TV in the middle of season 2). Somehow it escaped my attention that this series is only 18 volumes, or now 12. That’s worth a go!

After finishing volume 1 there is a formula to the bad guys, however each chapter is exciting because a new guardian (AKA senshi/Sailor Senshi/Sailor Scout) is found and introduced. At the end readers, and the rest of the guardians, have not met SailorV. Sure it can be said that the story is rushed, but I thought the pacing wasn't bad. Though at times the story was choppy. But let's be honest this is one of Naoko Takeuchi earlier serialized works, so it's not 100% polished. But this is targeted at younger audiences making it easy to put 1 and 2 together.

The art is lovely. To be honest 90s style manga is really hit or miss for me. Depending on who the creator is it can look horrid, and at times it looks simply lovely. Naoko Takeuchi's style has always been gorgeous, especially all the color art in this reprint. The anime never captured the beauty of Takeuchi's art style. (Here's hoping the reboot will.) Even if the storyline may stutter the art doesn't. The action scenes are well done, and I can completely see why this helped to make "girl manga" with action popular. Thank you. Also, I know no one is going to die at this point. But the danger seems more real. With villains talking about getting the guardians’ heads and so on.

Tuxedo Mask (AKA Tuxedo Kamen) is way cooler here. Also, no stupid rose tossing powers. Thank you! He has a bigger role in the overall story in just this one volume. Which in turn makes him a much more attractive love interest. Now for Usagi (AKA Serena). In the anime for me Usagi went from being cute and quirky, to me fantasizing about offing her. Yeah, she was that annoying. In the manga she outright says she likes eating, sleeping, she get's low grades, and she's a "crybaby". But she comes of much more likeable and child like. Cute even. Even in this first volume you can see some growth. It feels so nice that I like Sailor Moon! Plus, I love that she wears a mask, sometimes. The other guardians present in this volume have a fun introductory so that we know them and their basic personalities. This is volume 1 so I'm not too worried that they haven't had much more depth.

This is the start of the "Dark Kingdom" arc and for this reprint spans to Volume 3. Overall this is for younger kids at this point. Sure each chapter introduces a new "monster of the week", but it's not as stifling as the anime and I think adults will definitely like this version more. Got my hands on the rest of the series and I'm very curious as to how the manga is going to develop. If you're a Sailor Moon fan you'll want to read these. If you're like me and just couldn't make it through the anime, but always wanted to experience the universe this is your chance! Some readers may not be able to handle the "sugary" feeling of this adolescent targeted manga. But if you're a cartoon junky and love the adult or children's kind I think you're clear. If you’re reading it for it’s “classic” status take a chance, and maybe even try going as far as volume 2 if this one didn’t impress you.

(In my future reviews of later volumes I will not be making anymore comparisons to the anime. In this review I just wanted to help other readers who may have not liked the anime, but might try the manga!)

Sexual Content: Clean kiddies. There's some close intimate moments with Tuxedo Mask and Usagi, but nothing else.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12	Sailor Moon Volume 1 Sailor Moon Volume 2 Sailor Moon Volume 3 Sailor Moon Volume 4 Sailor Moon Volume 5 Sailor Moon Volume 6 Sailor Moon Volume 7 Sailor Moon Volume 8 Sailor Moon Volume 9 Sailor Moon Volume 10 Sailor Moon Volume 11 Sailor Moon Volume 12