Teenage Wasteland
Volume 2 collects #7 - 12 in the Runaways series
The runaways are trying to gather their knowledge and do good deeds to undo the bad things their parents have done. Alex is working to desipher the book taken from the Pride that will give the history behind the group. It is hinted several times that one of the runaways will help the Pride out by reveling their whereabouts.
1st storyline
On an impromtue mission to get snacks at the local convience store they stop a robbery in progress and discover another teen who is being controlled by his evil parents. 16 year old Topher goes with the gang to their hide-out and suddenly Nico (aka Sister Grim) and Karolina (aka Lucy in the Sky) come to blows for his affections. When Topher and Nico go outside to escape it all Nico disovers Topher's big secret - he's a vampire! Yikes! The normal ways to kill him won't work except sunlight. When he tries to bite Karolina (she's made of sunwaves) he emplodes.
2nd storyline
A lieutenant with the L.A.P.D. bring in vigilantes, Cloak and Dagger, from the East Coast to bring the runaways home. But we know he is in the pocket of the Pride (runways evil parents). Cloak and Dagger quickly find the runaways and apprehend them. While Cloak has 4 of them under his cloak it is hinted that one of them is not as innocent as the others. Is it Alex, Nico, Karolina or Chase? Gert (aka Arsenic) and Molly come along and save the day by yankig Cloak's cloak off him literally leaving the four stranded in Dark Force Dimension. We find that the Cloak is a stuttering young man. When Dagger gives Cloak back his powers and it brings back the 4 and we never find out who is the dark force. Cloak and Dagger promise to bring back re-enforcements to help the runways defeat the Pride. So as the runways return to their secret lair Cloak and Dagger are captured by the Pride and their minds are erased.
This is a fast moving series leaving me wanting more. Thankfully I have volume 3 already checked out!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness
Volume 3 of the series in which Scott, Canadian slacker attempts to defeat his crush-object Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends. This time, Scot is pitted against #3 of the evil ex-boyfriends, Todd Ingram, the current boyfriend of his ex, rock star Envy Adams; they battle at a discount department store and a rock club. Unfortunately, Todd's got psychic powers, because he's a vegan ("graduated top of his class from vegan academy and everything"), and he's also a much better bass player. On top of that, Scott's band, Sex BobOmb, can't quite get it together; 17-year-old ninja Knives Chau is still obsessed with him; and the mysterious Ramona Flowers is becoming envious of Envy.
We learn more about Scott's past and his infatuation with Envy (aka Natalie). He has such loyal friends who will stand behind him even when it appears he cannot win. This was much more funny to me because of all the minor storylines going on. I had trouble with some of the artwork as characters blur and it becomes hard to tell who is who and when the flashbacks even end. But overall very happy with the storyline and I'm assuming 4 more volumes to go!
Volume 3 of the series in which Scott, Canadian slacker attempts to defeat his crush-object Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends. This time, Scot is pitted against #3 of the evil ex-boyfriends, Todd Ingram, the current boyfriend of his ex, rock star Envy Adams; they battle at a discount department store and a rock club. Unfortunately, Todd's got psychic powers, because he's a vegan ("graduated top of his class from vegan academy and everything"), and he's also a much better bass player. On top of that, Scott's band, Sex BobOmb, can't quite get it together; 17-year-old ninja Knives Chau is still obsessed with him; and the mysterious Ramona Flowers is becoming envious of Envy.
We learn more about Scott's past and his infatuation with Envy (aka Natalie). He has such loyal friends who will stand behind him even when it appears he cannot win. This was much more funny to me because of all the minor storylines going on. I had trouble with some of the artwork as characters blur and it becomes hard to tell who is who and when the flashbacks even end. But overall very happy with the storyline and I'm assuming 4 more volumes to go!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams.
The main point I got from this fable is that often what you searching for is usually right there all along, and that the journey you take to find it is about learning lessons and growing as a person. Life is in the journey, not the destination! I found this book very mystical and it took me about 2 weeks to read which is a long time for me. I had to read it in small doses. I'm not sure if I would read more by Coelho but would probably read this book again down the road.
The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams.
The main point I got from this fable is that often what you searching for is usually right there all along, and that the journey you take to find it is about learning lessons and growing as a person. Life is in the journey, not the destination! I found this book very mystical and it took me about 2 weeks to read which is a long time for me. I had to read it in small doses. I'm not sure if I would read more by Coelho but would probably read this book again down the road.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Nobody's Perfect by Donald Westlake
Dortmunder is about to begin a defense against being caught red-handed with a stack of television sets he is stealing. As a twice-convicted felon, that's bad news. Suddenly, in walks one of the great criminal defense attorneys, J. Radcliffe Stonewiler, Esq., and in an hour-and-a-half Dortmunder is a free man. What's going on? That's what Dortmunder wonders, too, and he soon finds out that he has an obligation to fulfill to Arnold Chauncey, a society collector who likes to fill in the gaps in his income with payments from his insurance company for art that has "disappeared."
Although he's not excited about the caper, Dortmunder figures it will be pretty easy and the payoff is a large one. Then, while lifting a $400,000 painting, he decides to take just one or two other items . He brings in the usual gang plus a new guy. We are introduced to the large and easily angered tough guy, Tiny Bulcher and the Continental Detective Agency also makes another appearance, having been reassigned after losing the bank in a past novel. When Dortmunder gets stuck in the elevator he hands the painting to Kelp and waits until the coast is clear. Unfortunately Kelp and gang get involved in a Scottish Clan fight and the painting is lost and everything begins to unravel.
Wealthy but poor in cash Arnold Chauncey is one of the most larcenous rich people you will ever meet, aided by an indifference to the needs of others and a diabolical mind for finding ways to get what he wants. Chauncey has taken out his own insurance policy on Dortmunder, a professional killer, who will kill him if Dortmunder does not produce the painting after the insurance payoff in approximately 6 months.
Of course with the painting lost Dortmunder devises another master plan to tricking Chauncey into thinking the killer has stolen the painting from him. It works for awhile but before long Chauncy comes calling and demanding the painting. Well low and behold the painting has shown up in Scotland as a long lost work in an old lady's attic. Once again Dortmunder shows why he is the master planner and they are all to London to steal the painting back. But with usual Dortmunder luck nothing goes according to plan.
I laughed a lot during this book. The problems he and Kelp get into are classic and you can just picture this happening.
Dortmunder is about to begin a defense against being caught red-handed with a stack of television sets he is stealing. As a twice-convicted felon, that's bad news. Suddenly, in walks one of the great criminal defense attorneys, J. Radcliffe Stonewiler, Esq., and in an hour-and-a-half Dortmunder is a free man. What's going on? That's what Dortmunder wonders, too, and he soon finds out that he has an obligation to fulfill to Arnold Chauncey, a society collector who likes to fill in the gaps in his income with payments from his insurance company for art that has "disappeared."
Although he's not excited about the caper, Dortmunder figures it will be pretty easy and the payoff is a large one. Then, while lifting a $400,000 painting, he decides to take just one or two other items . He brings in the usual gang plus a new guy. We are introduced to the large and easily angered tough guy, Tiny Bulcher and the Continental Detective Agency also makes another appearance, having been reassigned after losing the bank in a past novel. When Dortmunder gets stuck in the elevator he hands the painting to Kelp and waits until the coast is clear. Unfortunately Kelp and gang get involved in a Scottish Clan fight and the painting is lost and everything begins to unravel.
Wealthy but poor in cash Arnold Chauncey is one of the most larcenous rich people you will ever meet, aided by an indifference to the needs of others and a diabolical mind for finding ways to get what he wants. Chauncey has taken out his own insurance policy on Dortmunder, a professional killer, who will kill him if Dortmunder does not produce the painting after the insurance payoff in approximately 6 months.
Of course with the painting lost Dortmunder devises another master plan to tricking Chauncey into thinking the killer has stolen the painting from him. It works for awhile but before long Chauncy comes calling and demanding the painting. Well low and behold the painting has shown up in Scotland as a long lost work in an old lady's attic. Once again Dortmunder shows why he is the master planner and they are all to London to steal the painting back. But with usual Dortmunder luck nothing goes according to plan.
I laughed a lot during this book. The problems he and Kelp get into are classic and you can just picture this happening.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Breaking Up: Fashion High Graphic Novel by Aimee Friedman and art by Chrstine Norrie
Friends forever! That is exactly how Chloe Sacks feels about her tight group of girlfriends. Since what seems like forever, Chloe, Isabel, Erika, and Mackenzie have been inseparable. They did everything together, from sharing secrets to gossiping with one another. And when they start out their junior year together, Chloe is sure that it will be another great year for them all. But little does she know that as they enter their junior year, they may actually become distant. The new school year does not start off too well for the girls. Instead of having all of their classes together they only have one--Health, with the very weird Ms. Lamour.
Not only are their schedules changing, but so are they. It seems like all Mackenzie can think about is getting "in" with the popular crowd, befriending Nicola Burnett, the girlfriend of Gabe, who Mackenzie is beginning to fall for. Isabel is having trouble with her very controlling parents, especially when she really wants to date soccer player Brad Richmond. Erika loves her boyfriend, Kyle, very much, but is beginning to question their relationship since all Kyle thinks about is pressuring her to take their relationship to the "next level." And Chloe is beginning to have feelings for Adam Stevenson, who, unfortunately, around school is considered a loser, even by her own friends. A new year, new relationships, and a new perspective on how the girls begin to look at each other. It seems like the girls' junior year isn't turning out to be what they expected.
A more modern version of DeGrassi High. This is the perfect graphic novel for a preteen or high school girl who feels that she might be losing her best friend or changing.
Friends forever! That is exactly how Chloe Sacks feels about her tight group of girlfriends. Since what seems like forever, Chloe, Isabel, Erika, and Mackenzie have been inseparable. They did everything together, from sharing secrets to gossiping with one another. And when they start out their junior year together, Chloe is sure that it will be another great year for them all. But little does she know that as they enter their junior year, they may actually become distant. The new school year does not start off too well for the girls. Instead of having all of their classes together they only have one--Health, with the very weird Ms. Lamour.
Not only are their schedules changing, but so are they. It seems like all Mackenzie can think about is getting "in" with the popular crowd, befriending Nicola Burnett, the girlfriend of Gabe, who Mackenzie is beginning to fall for. Isabel is having trouble with her very controlling parents, especially when she really wants to date soccer player Brad Richmond. Erika loves her boyfriend, Kyle, very much, but is beginning to question their relationship since all Kyle thinks about is pressuring her to take their relationship to the "next level." And Chloe is beginning to have feelings for Adam Stevenson, who, unfortunately, around school is considered a loser, even by her own friends. A new year, new relationships, and a new perspective on how the girls begin to look at each other. It seems like the girls' junior year isn't turning out to be what they expected.
A more modern version of DeGrassi High. This is the perfect graphic novel for a preteen or high school girl who feels that she might be losing her best friend or changing.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Slay Ride by Chris Grabenstein
Advertising executive Scott Wilkinson has a very nice life: a lovely home in suburban New Jersey, a beautiful wife, and a little girl on the way. But his charmed existence becomes cursed when he steps into a Lucky Seven airport limousine driven by an embittered one-time agent of the KGB. Nicolai Kyznetsoff is already enraged at the world when Wilkinson dares to admonish him for being a few minutes late. After surviving a white-knuckle ride to LaGuardia, Wilkinson calls Lucky Seven to file a complaint.
A year goes by and while Wilkinson's life seems perfect little does he know that Grandfather Frost is waiting for the right moment to attack and is soon kidnapped. His worried, very pregnant wife refuses to sit around and wait.
Meanwhile, across town, off-duty FBI agent Christopher Miller (aka Saint Christopher) finds the "Man in the Moon," a serial killer who has been taking out cab drivers with every full moon on the Jersey shore. He is placed on probation for outshining his jealous boss who we find out later has been using Miller's name with the Russian mafia. He is called in to calm down an old Russian woman who has been robbed and uncovers details of Russian diamond smugglers who transport the booty in nesting matryoshka dolls.
But Nicolai isn't just out for revenge on Wilkinson but Miller as well. He believes Miller has stolen his diamonds. So after many gruesome killings and biting your nails chases will he find Wilkinson in time before he is killed off or before Nicolai kills Miller?
This was a wild fast read but rather gruesome killings of lots of people with very graphic detail. Thankfully I can skim over that part. The ending was bit pat for me but overall a good read. I'll try one of his other works to see what it is like.
Advertising executive Scott Wilkinson has a very nice life: a lovely home in suburban New Jersey, a beautiful wife, and a little girl on the way. But his charmed existence becomes cursed when he steps into a Lucky Seven airport limousine driven by an embittered one-time agent of the KGB. Nicolai Kyznetsoff is already enraged at the world when Wilkinson dares to admonish him for being a few minutes late. After surviving a white-knuckle ride to LaGuardia, Wilkinson calls Lucky Seven to file a complaint.
A year goes by and while Wilkinson's life seems perfect little does he know that Grandfather Frost is waiting for the right moment to attack and is soon kidnapped. His worried, very pregnant wife refuses to sit around and wait.
Meanwhile, across town, off-duty FBI agent Christopher Miller (aka Saint Christopher) finds the "Man in the Moon," a serial killer who has been taking out cab drivers with every full moon on the Jersey shore. He is placed on probation for outshining his jealous boss who we find out later has been using Miller's name with the Russian mafia. He is called in to calm down an old Russian woman who has been robbed and uncovers details of Russian diamond smugglers who transport the booty in nesting matryoshka dolls.
But Nicolai isn't just out for revenge on Wilkinson but Miller as well. He believes Miller has stolen his diamonds. So after many gruesome killings and biting your nails chases will he find Wilkinson in time before he is killed off or before Nicolai kills Miller?
This was a wild fast read but rather gruesome killings of lots of people with very graphic detail. Thankfully I can skim over that part. The ending was bit pat for me but overall a good read. I'll try one of his other works to see what it is like.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Tiger Eye by Marjoie M. Liu
Psychically sensitive tourist Dela Reese browses for treasures at Beijing's Dirt Market, where an old woman sells her a riddle box for only one yuan. Surprisingly, when Dela opens the box back in her hotel room, a gorgeous seven-foot-tall warrior appears, bearing 2,000-year-old weapons. The warrior, Hari, has been cursed for two millennia to serve as a slave - bereft of his power to shape-shift into a tiger - to anyone who opens the box. Assassins follow Delilah and Hari from Beijing back home to the U.S., where Dela and Hari soon find themselves in the midst of a war between Chinese crime syndicates. The reappearance of Hari's age-old nemesis, the Magi, who has been searching for Hari since he was imprisoned in the box, jacks up the suspense.
First in the series of the Dirk & Stelle paranormal romances. This was suprisingly good and very sensual in an erotic way. I actually read the 2nd book first so it was good to go back and figure out who these people are. All the characters are well connected and make me want to know more about this group. I'm glad that she has written several and look forward to reading more.
Psychically sensitive tourist Dela Reese browses for treasures at Beijing's Dirt Market, where an old woman sells her a riddle box for only one yuan. Surprisingly, when Dela opens the box back in her hotel room, a gorgeous seven-foot-tall warrior appears, bearing 2,000-year-old weapons. The warrior, Hari, has been cursed for two millennia to serve as a slave - bereft of his power to shape-shift into a tiger - to anyone who opens the box. Assassins follow Delilah and Hari from Beijing back home to the U.S., where Dela and Hari soon find themselves in the midst of a war between Chinese crime syndicates. The reappearance of Hari's age-old nemesis, the Magi, who has been searching for Hari since he was imprisoned in the box, jacks up the suspense.
First in the series of the Dirk & Stelle paranormal romances. This was suprisingly good and very sensual in an erotic way. I actually read the 2nd book first so it was good to go back and figure out who these people are. All the characters are well connected and make me want to know more about this group. I'm glad that she has written several and look forward to reading more.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Short stories featuring a Christmas theme. There is a darkly playful humor through the book, some of which didn't seem that funny to me. I really enjoyed the first and last stories. SantaLand Dairies chronicles his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. Christmas Means Giving is truly the bizaare way two neighbors try to outdo each other during Christmas by giving to it literally kills them!
I have never read any of his previous works but had heard an online review of this collection on XM audio radio. I enjoyed the rest but it didn't move me like these two stories did. I think I could read SantaLand every year to start my Christmas season out with a laugh!
Short stories featuring a Christmas theme. There is a darkly playful humor through the book, some of which didn't seem that funny to me. I really enjoyed the first and last stories. SantaLand Dairies chronicles his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. Christmas Means Giving is truly the bizaare way two neighbors try to outdo each other during Christmas by giving to it literally kills them!
I have never read any of his previous works but had heard an online review of this collection on XM audio radio. I enjoyed the rest but it didn't move me like these two stories did. I think I could read SantaLand every year to start my Christmas season out with a laugh!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
We see the story from Yelena's point of view. She murdered General Brazell’s only son, Reyad, which is punished by death. Living in the territory of Ixia’s, military rule had produced strict laws called the Code of Behavior. During peacetime, proper military conduct does not allow the taking of a human life. If murder was committed, the punishment was execution. Of course we learn the nightmare she lived in Brazell's orphanage
As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. We are introduced to many interesting characters in this complex novel in which politics and fantasy are interwoven.
Two more are in this interesting series. Can't wait to try them out.
Magic Study
Fire Study
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia, Valek. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
We see the story from Yelena's point of view. She murdered General Brazell’s only son, Reyad, which is punished by death. Living in the territory of Ixia’s, military rule had produced strict laws called the Code of Behavior. During peacetime, proper military conduct does not allow the taking of a human life. If murder was committed, the punishment was execution. Of course we learn the nightmare she lived in Brazell's orphanage
As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. We are introduced to many interesting characters in this complex novel in which politics and fantasy are interwoven.
Two more are in this interesting series. Can't wait to try them out.
Magic Study
Fire Study
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Born In Death by J.D. Robb
Eve is busy planning her friend Mavis's babyshower when she is drawn into a double homicide. Dallas's investigation of these brutal murders of Natalie Copperfield, a 26-year-old accountant, and Copperfield's boyfriend becomes entangled with the search for Tandy Willowby, a pregnant friend who mysteriously vanishes shortly before her due date. Dallas discovers that Copperfield had stumbled on some white-collar fraud at her high-profile accounting firm, while Willowby's disappearance may be part of a series of abductions.
But all of this is taking it's toll on both Eve & Roarke as they are Mavis' birth coaches and it is completely freaking them out. Plus all the real dirt behind the murders brings up old wounds for both of them.
The mystery is really not the main focus as it is more on Eve & Roarke and them having to deal with life and death. It was nice to see more of Mavis but the other main characters such Feeney, Peabody, McNabb, Louise, Mira, Mavis, Whitney, etc.
Eve is busy planning her friend Mavis's babyshower when she is drawn into a double homicide. Dallas's investigation of these brutal murders of Natalie Copperfield, a 26-year-old accountant, and Copperfield's boyfriend becomes entangled with the search for Tandy Willowby, a pregnant friend who mysteriously vanishes shortly before her due date. Dallas discovers that Copperfield had stumbled on some white-collar fraud at her high-profile accounting firm, while Willowby's disappearance may be part of a series of abductions.
But all of this is taking it's toll on both Eve & Roarke as they are Mavis' birth coaches and it is completely freaking them out. Plus all the real dirt behind the murders brings up old wounds for both of them.
The mystery is really not the main focus as it is more on Eve & Roarke and them having to deal with life and death. It was nice to see more of Mavis but the other main characters such Feeney, Peabody, McNabb, Louise, Mira, Mavis, Whitney, etc.
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