Redwall The Graphic Novel

From Redwall Wiki: Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help Redwall's inhabitants destroy their enemy.

My Thoughts: This is the second graphic novel I've read and it is from an actual novel that I read several years ago. In fact I've read most of the books in this series. I enjoyed reading this, seeing the pictures, however I remember the descriptions Jacques wrote for the meals and feasts, reading about the kindness in the hearts of the Abby creatures, and descriptions of the various inhabitants of Redwall Abby and Mossflower. The word pictures I remember were more powerful than the drawn pictures.

3

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

Library book

From the Cover: "Stalin's Soviet Union strives to be a paradise for its workers, providing for all of their needs. One of its fundamental pillars is that its citizens live free from the fear of ordinary crime and criminals.
But in this society, millions do live in fear ... of the State. Defending the system from its citizens is the MGB, the State Security Force. And no MGB officer is more courageous or idealistic than Leo Demidov whose only ambition has been to serve his country.
Then the impossible happens. A different kind of criminal - a murderer - is on the loose, killing children at will. At the same time, Leo finds himself demoted and denounced by his enemies, and every belief he's ever held shattered. The only way to save his life and the lives of his family is to uncover the criminal. But in a society that is officially paradise, its a crime against the State to suggest that a murderer - much less a serial killer - is in their midst. Exiled from his home, with only his wife remaining at his side, Leo must find and stop a criminal that the State won't admit even exists."

My thoughts: This was a great read, especially with the twist at the end! It was gruesome in places, specifically the descriptions of the murders. The paranoia described as a way of life in 1950s Russia made me thankful I live here.

4

Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich

From Janet Evanovich: "In a previous life, before the time of Plum, I wrote twelve short romance novels. Red-hot screwball comedies, each and every one of them. Nine of these stories were originally published by the Loveswept line between the years 1988 and 1992. All immediately went out of print and could be found only at used bookstores and yard sales. I'm excited to tell you that those nine stories are now being re-released by HarperCollins. Naughty Neighbor is the eighth in the lineup."

My thoughts: Well I can tell you I was glad to be able to read more of Evanovich's writing! These clever, cute little books are fun to read even if it's a little predictable. In this one Louisa, who works as a press secretary, becomes involved with Pete Streeter, her upstairs neighbor, when he steals her paper and gets phone calls at all hours of the night that disturb her. When she confronts him well, you just have to read it!

Go here to see a video of an interview with Janet,

Deja Demon by Julie Kenner

Library book

Deja Demon: The Days and Nights of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom

If the title doesn't sell you perhaps the blurb on the front cover will:

Saving The Suburbs From Evil - One Fiend At A Time...

These things would have sold me even if I hadn't already read the rest of the series and liked it!

My thoughts: I enjoyed reading the further adventures of Kate the demon killing soccer mom. Working with the husband she thought to be dead, they face a threat from their past. Two demons they vanquished working together (an oddity in this world) for revenge and control. Juggling church responsibilities, her toddler and 14 year old daughter as well as her current husband (the father of the toddler) she finds it all a bit much.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

CC library book

I just finished reading this long book and must say that I really liked it! Science Fiction meets Romance without all the mushy details. Well there was some mush but it was bearable.

In this story the earth has been taken over by beings that call themselves Souls. They are your standard Scifi parasite that takes over the human host and continue on with a human life with the Soul in control. The Soul Wanderer is placed in Melanie's body but finds that she can't suppress and do away with Melanie. They coexist in Melanie's body and soon Wanderer finds herself caring for the people and things Melanie cared for. In time they end up with one of the few remaining groups of "wild" humans that include Melanie's brother and true love Jared. Their story of survival, Wanderer & Melanie as well as the humans, makes for a great read.

My thoughts: Throughout this book the Soul, Wanderer, claimed that Souls were kind, would never hurt anyone. However this view doesn't go with the fact that they took over a whole planet of people and essentially murdered everyone on it. This was never addressed. Even so, I think you will like this book.

4

Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews

library book

Cute, fun, quick read. I really like this series. The first one I read was the funniest by far: Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon. What a hoot. Do yourself a favor and check out this series.

In this story Meg ends up looking after a toddler when the mother, Meg's friend Karen, asks her to watch him "for just a little while." Hours turn into days and, of course Meg begins to investigate, trying to find Karen. She finds a body, not Karen's. In typical Meg fashion she pursues her investigation, with help or hindrance from her husband, father, grandfather, and various other family members.

4

Night Watchman by James V. Viscosi

From the back: "Nate Watson is a cop in a bad section of Island City. Responding to a call from a frightened old woman, Nate and his partner Frank encounter a group of teenage thugs playing at black magic on the decrepit rooftops of the slums. Except they're not playing. Defeated by the boys' mysterious powers, Frank meets his death at the bottom of a ventilation shaft. He's the lucky one. The boys drag Nate into a circle of candles and saw him open from neck to waist, playing with what they find inside. When he dies they lose interest, snuff the candles, and depart. The night cools. The crows come to feed on the corpse. But then the candles flare back into life, and the birds take frightened flight, and Nate Watson returns...with a vengeance. "

My Thoughts:When he comes back, as the Night Watchman, Nate finds that the handcuffs he had been bound with now work as retractable chains, extensions of his will. I found this to be an captivating idea. This was a true horror story, complete with grim descriptions, evil beings, ghosts, zombies, and good Vs evil. Once I started it it was hard to put down. The characters and places Viscosi created were engaging, interesting. I would have loved for Yolanda, a psychic, to have had a bigger part. Readers of Horror fiction will like this one.

4

In Odd We Trust (Dean Koontz) by Queenie Chan

library book

This is the first graphic novel I've read and i found it enjoyable. The character of Odd Thomas, created by Dean Koontz, was recreated here by Queenie Chan very successfully. This story predates the first odd Thomas novel, so his girlfriend, Stormy, is with him.

If you have read the novels you know that Odd is, well, a little odd. He sees ghosts and has "physic magnetism." He comes across the ghost of a frightened boy and is off trying to help catch the murderer.

3

Daemons are Forever by Simon R. Green

This is the second in the Shaman Bond series. I started reading these because I liked Green's Nightside series. Both are different, enjoyable, fun reads. Think 007 complete with Q (the Armourer.)

In this story Shaman Bond (Edwin Drood of the Drood family) is just back from the last book and takes over leadership of the family. He must fix the mess he caused when he killed the evil Heart that supplied the family with their golden torcs and save the world from the Loathy Ones that plan to bring in the Hungry Gods to take over and destroy this world. He works with an array of interesting family members and strange outsiders to accomplish his goal.

3.5