multitaskingwithbecca's reviews
123 reviews

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Blades of Freedom: A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase by Nathan Hale

adventurous challenging dark funny sad tense fast-paced

 Normally if I find myself in a book funk I will read a middle grade book or a graphic novel. Today I chose to read a book that is both! (I didn't actually realize it was a graphic novel until I opened it up. 😅)

  The official release day for Blades of Freedom was just yesterday! (11/24/2020) This is actually the tenth book of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, but it is the first one I am reading. They can be read as stand alones so it is no big deal. 

   I found it interesting and insightful. I even learned some things I didn't previously know. (Like how sugar is made) These are supposed to be comedic little snippets of our history here in America. A great deal of this story doesn't take place here though. 

   It is supposed to be middle grade, but I do not think my kiddo is quite ready for it. There were some pretty heavy topics and adult humor throughout. Just not sure we are quite there yet. 

  I thought the illustrations were great. I also think I would be interested in reading more from this series. It is definitely something you have to be in the mood for though. Part of it was actually a bit depressing, but I guess History can be that way. The author really managed to lighten this up in ways I did not expect. 

  I am not sure I can accurately give this a star rating because it is our history? The presentation of it was great though.

   I should also note that I did not buy this book, it was given to me by the publisher. (Thank you Amulet Books) My review is still 100% my own and just honest opinions. 

After the Rain by Nnedi Okorafor

dark fast-paced

2.0

I recieved this from Netgalley. 

I have been reading a lot of graphic novels lately, which makes me so happy. I had really high hopes for this one too, but was immediately let down. This is not the fault of the author though. 

The Netgalley file is only in black and white. Also doesn't appear to have the writing properly. So you can barely read the words because it is like they are faded out on an old newspaper. 

I feel like I still could have loved it, but I just didn't. From what I could read it was like a having a hot fever dream. Having no idea what is really going on and you never really find out why anything happened. 

Dryad, Vol. 1 by Kurtis J. Wiebe

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

3.0

I was able to read this through Netgalley. 

I spent just as much time trying to figure out what was going on as I did reading the story itself. It was just set up a but weird where you don't actually know why anyone is making the choices they are making just the action of them making them. I would be interested in reading more but I am not going to go out of my way to do so.

Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia

funny hopeful fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia

fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Black Canary: Ignite by Meg Cabot, Cara McGee

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

The characters were a bit younger than I thought they would be, but it was still enjoyable. A very cute and wholesome adaptation. 

Anti/Hero by Demitria Lunetta, Kate Karyus Quinn

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I think this was my favorite "Freaky Friday" take yet. I hope they continue this and make it a series because I loved Sloane and Piper. It was cute and deep all at the same time. 

Equal parts chuckling and smiling.

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige

sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed it. I can see this being a series, which I would happily continue reading and buying. The art work was stunning and the storyline pulled me in. 

I think everyone can connect with wanting to be taken for more than they appear, which was a predominant thing here. It isn't exactly a HEA, but more a "things are settled for now." Haven't really figured out how I feel about that yet. 

Primer by Thomas Krajewski, Jennifer Muro

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This was actually a lot deeper than I had anticipated it being. It touched on a lot of emotions from feeling unwanted, not feeling like enough, to realization and acceptance. A lot of female empowerment here too in every sense of the word. 

I just loved it. It packed a big punch for such a small book.