The Flight of the Ravens by Chris Butler

Synopsis:
A dark force has risen in 19th century Amsterdam. Elizabeth saw her best friend consumed by it. She is afraid her soul was tainted that day. Huginn lost his son to it, and his wife to madness. He is a man with secrets, his past shrouded in mystery. The darkness retreated into hiding, but soon it will return. Elizabeth and Huginn must unite against it, to fight for Amsterdam's survival and for the eternal soul of Huginn's only mortal son.
(Synopsis from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
Horror isn't usually a genre that I read a lot of. However, I do love paranormal. It happens to be one of my favorite genres. The Flight of the Ravens is a mixture of both. Both genres combined with an awesome story line made this a really enjoyable book.

I loved mostly everything about Flight of the Ravens. The plot was suspenseful. It had me turning pages, wanting to know what would happen next. There were a couple parts where it got kind of boring. That only lasted for a page or two before the plot picked up again. I also appreciated how the author wove mythology into the story line. It made the plot even more intriguing. I wish we had been able to get a glimpse into Odin's reaction to what the ravens told him.

I greatly enjoyed the characters. Elizabeth was a great female main character. I loved how determined she was. She also had amazing determination and willpower. It made her an admirable character. As I just finished taking a Psychology class last semester, I thought it was really cool the way the author incorporated Freud into the plot. I enjoyed it when he handed Huginn his manuscript on dream interpretation.

Other than a couple slow parts in the book, I really enjoyed The Flight of the Ravens. I can't wait to read more of Chris Butler's works in the future. I am interested to see what he comes up with next. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a darker twist.

I give The Flight of the Ravens: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://cbutler12.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisButlerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbutler12
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/494197.Chris_Butler

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

Synopsis:
Emma had had more reason than any other time of her life to be afraid, even when facing one of the rampages of her drunken father. But she wasn't afraid--which was odd, because although Aaryn, the person asking her that question, was her best friend, he was also a vampire. In fact, she was surrounded by hundreds of vampires.

But they weren't your typical vampires. They were Stregoni Benefici, the good kind. Nor was Emma your typical elf. She was the Golden Healer, and she alone could save the Stregoni Benefici from the Dark Enchantress. But can Emma figure out the Dark Enchantress' secret and defeat the evil vampires without destroying the good ones as well--without destroying Aaryn? Can she unravel the dark secret Aaryn keeps so carefully guarded and show him that by choosing to serve good instead of evil, he is still capable of being loved and his past is forgiven?
(Synopsis from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress was one of the most original books that I've read. When I first saw it, it drew my interest because it is a Christian vampire book. Those are two genres that typically aren't seen together. I didn't know when I would get another opportunity to read and review another book like this, so I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, even though it had a great premise, the book fell flat for me.

I was so excited to read this book. However, after I started reading it, I wasm bored most of the time. I found myself wanting to skim the last couple of chapters, even though I didn't because I read review books in their entirety to give them an accurate review. I got to the point where I didn't even really care what happened to the characters. There were also some editing issues. Towards the end of the book, there were a few times where paragraphs would be repeated twice. It drove me crazy.

Even though I disliked this book, it did have a great premise. The execution just needs a bit of work. Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress did get me excited to read more Christian fantasy in the future. I'm hoping that I can find more Christian vampire books because I would like to explore the genre, if there are any more available.

I give Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress: 2.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://christineschulze.com/
Blog: http://www.thegoldenhealer.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-E-Schulze/158265555890
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3242087.Christine_E_Schulze

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Cootie the Not So Oddly Named Girl Makes the Ultimate Pizza by Tony Saylor

Synopsis:
Cootie wears a pink otter costume and LOVES to make pizza! She sets a goal for herself -- to make the ultimate pizza. With encouragement from her young cousin, Chortle, and the help of a mysterious ninja chef, she works to overcome her shyness and lack of self-confidence to create the most awesome pizza ever. In the process, she finds herself embroiled in one really wacky cooking adventure!
(Synopsis from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
I read the Viper Girl series a few years ago. To this day, it's still one of my favorite children's books of all time. I loved Cootie the Not So Oddly Named Girl Makes the Ultimate Pizza just as much as Viper Girl. It's filled with that same awesome, witty humor that I love. My favorite part of the book was Grandpa Wobble. He had me laughing constantly. 

Even though this is a children's book, I think adults will enjoy it as well. I'm twenty-four, and I found myself laughing at quite a few of the jokes. I really hope Tony Saylor write more books about Cootie. I would love to see what type of crazy adventures she gets into next. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good laugh.

I give Cootie the Not So Oddly Named Girl Makes the Ultimate Pizza: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vipergirlbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821258.Tony_Saylor

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Verily, A New Hope, The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return by Ian Doescher

Verily, A New Hope Synopsis:
Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language—and William Shakespeare—here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas's epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearsome Stormtroopers, signifying...pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations—William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.

The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return Synopsis:
Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!
(Both Synopsis from Goodreads.)

My Thoughts:
At first, I wasn't entirely sure how to write a review for these books without the reviews sounding the same. That's what took me so long to review these books. Finally, I decided to combine them and turn my review into a review of the whole trilogy. This review will encompass Verily, A New Hope, The Empire Striketh Back, and The Jedi Doth Return.

I took a Shakespeare class in high school, and ever since then I've been obsessed. I've read most of his plays and sonnets. My favorite is Twelfth Night. I've also read a lot of retellings that are based on his works. I just can't get enough Shakespeare in my life. When that is combined with one of my favorite nerdy things of all time, Star Wars, the result is pure epicness.

I loved the William Shakespeare's Star Wars trilogy. It stayed very true to the plot of the Star Wars movies while incorporating writing that was very similar to the bard's. Ian Doescher did a wonderful job with that. If it wasn't for the Star Wars subject matter that came out after Shakespeare's time, I would have almost been able to believe that I was reading an authentic Shakespeare play. It had me cracking up laughing quite a bit. I especially loved the witty banter between C-3P0 and R2-D2. Another one of my favorite things about the book were the illustrations. They were drawn fit in with the theme of the book really well. It definitely added something special to the story.

I think William Shakespeare's Star Wars might be my favorite Shakespeare parody yet. I loved everything about the trilogy. I can't wait to read the prequel trilogy. I didn't care for the prequel movies, but if the books are anything like this trilogy was, I'm sure I'll love them. I already have the first one, which I should have a review up soon. I recommend this trilogy for anyone who likes fun, nerdy things.

I give Verily, A New Hope: 5/5.
I give The Empire Striketh Back: 5/5.
I give The Jedi Doth Return: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.iandoescher.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoriandoescher
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iandoescher

I received all three of these books from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Stars and Swipes by Wilhelm Staehle

Synopsis:
Here are 30 exquisite postcards from Wilhelm Staehle’s Silhouette Masterpiece Theater (silhouettemasterpiecetheater.com). Each panel in the popular weekly web comic features a painstakingly detailed etching carved from a beautiful painting; the results are gorgeous and very funny. Stars and Swipes offers a hilarious vision of classic Americana, with farcical frontiersmen, prattling presidents, and other all-American oddities.
(Synopsis from Amazon.)

My Thoughts:
If you read my review of Hugs and Misses, you know how much I love it. After finishing Hugs and Misses, I was so excited to read Stars and Swipes. I loved it as well. This postcard book points out some truths about America that I never noticed before, but it does it in a way that's funny and creative. I had never noticed what the book pointed out about Teddy Roosevelt.


My favorite postcard in this book was the one about the liberty bell. If I didn't have a thing about not destroying my books, I would totally rip that out and hand to everyone whose cell phone ringtones go off incredibly loud and annoyingly. I also think these postcards would make great tee shirts as well.

I give Stars and Swipes: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://wilhelmstaehle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilhelmstaehle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wilhelmstaehle
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/wilhelm-staehle
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/printdrop/wilhelm-staehle/

I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Hugs and Misses by Wilhelm Staehle

Synopsis:
Here are 30 exquisite postcards from Wilhelm Staehle’s Silhouette Masterpiece Theater (silhouettemasterpiecetheater.com). Each panel in the popular weekly web comic features a painstakingly detailed etching carved from a beautiful painting; the results are gorgeous and very funny. Hugs and Misses is a terrific Valentine’s Day gift, full of lovelorn ladies, roguish gentlemen, renegade Cupids, and indecent proposals.
(Synopsis from Amazon.)

My Thoughts:
For those of you that have been following my reviews for a little while, you know that I like books that are a little out of the ordinary. If something is quirky, funny, weird, or bizarre, there's a good chance that I will read it, no questions asked. I also love sarcastic humor, the snarkier the better. Therefore when I was contacted by Quirk to see if I wanted to review a book of snarky postcards, I said yes immediately.

I thought Hugs and Misses was great. It had all the snarky, sarcastic humor that I love. It even had bad puns, which made it even better. My favorite postcard in the book was the one about the Victorian girls. It made me laugh for quite a long time. 

They were a couple jokes that I didn't understand, but I got most of them. The ones that I did understand made me at least chuckle, if not laugh like a hyena on crack. I won't send any of these postcards out because I have strict rules about taking care of my books, and that includes not ripping things out. However, this will make a great book to make friends laugh whenever they do come over.

I give Hugs and Misses: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://wilhelmstaehle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilhelmstaehle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wilhelmstaehle
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/wilhelm-staehle
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/printdrop/wilhelm-staehle/

I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Stacking the Shelves #3

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. It is where you showcase books that you have received during the week. All of my books will be linked to Goodreads.

For Review:

Nothing this week.

Library:

• Locke and Key Volume 1 by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (I've heard a lot of great things about this on Booktube, so I decided to give it a try.)
• Superman: Earth One Volume 2 by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis  (I read volume one and loved it. I needed volume two immediately.)

• iZombie: Dead to the World by Chris Roberson and Mike Allred (I love the TV show that recently started airing on the CW, so I wanted to try the graphic novels.)
• Loveless volume 7 by Yun Kouga (The series is the first yoai manga series I have ever read. I'm enjoying it so far.)

Free:

I got all of these from my library's free bookshelf.

• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (I've heard really good things about this.)
• Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster (I thought this sounded funny, and I love reading books by bloggers.)
• Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton (I've heard great things about this author, and haven't read anything super steamy in a while.)

• King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang (I love the legend of King Arthur, and wish to learn everything about it that I can.)

That's it for this week. I'm sorry that this book haul is so short compared to my other ones that I've done. I counted my unread physical books this week, and I realize that I have 832. That's not even including my review copies, or what I have on my Kindle. So, I'm trying not to get a many books as I usually do until I can decrease that number. Have you read any of these? If so, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of them. Do any of them sound intriguing to you? If so, let me know which ones and why. If you have a Stacking the Shelves, or book haul post for the week, please leave it in the comments. I would love to see it.