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thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1451 reviews
The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
5.0
A companion guide to the "Heartstopper" series featuring new mini-comics, full color character art, and so much more!
This was honestly a pretty neat book to page through. Seeing the cast of characters rendered in full color was really neat and seeing some of the iconic scenes brought to life in vibrant colors was also cool. The AU art section was one of my favorites, as was seeing Charlie as a young child. The fact that Charlie has had Kitty forever and that he brought it everywhere when he was little seriously melted my heart.
None of the facts about the characters were surprising in any way, but it was cool to hear Oseman give behind the scenes tidbits on her creative process and some insight on why she created each character. Many of the characters in "Heartstopper" were created for her earlier projects such as "Solitaire" and "Radio Silence," so hearing her talk about some of the background on these characters was neat.
As always, the mini-comics are great. "The Teachers," "Moments," and "Girlfriends" all offer just a little more insight on many of the characters early moments in the series. Though it should be noted that spoilers will occur from diving in this yearbook before reading at least until the end of volume three.
Overall, "The Heartstopper Yearbook" is a quick stroll down memory lane with Alice Oseman themself. It's neat to hear all of their insider information and insights on how they created such an iconic universe with beloved characters. Seeing the full cast of characters brought to life in full color is also pretty cool, especially when given the opportunity to observe just how far Oseman's art has come over the years. I would definitely recommend superfans of this series check this one out.
This was honestly a pretty neat book to page through. Seeing the cast of characters rendered in full color was really neat and seeing some of the iconic scenes brought to life in vibrant colors was also cool. The AU art section was one of my favorites, as was seeing Charlie as a young child. The fact that Charlie has had Kitty forever and that he brought it everywhere when he was little seriously melted my heart.
None of the facts about the characters were surprising in any way, but it was cool to hear Oseman give behind the scenes tidbits on her creative process and some insight on why she created each character. Many of the characters in "Heartstopper" were created for her earlier projects such as "Solitaire" and "Radio Silence," so hearing her talk about some of the background on these characters was neat.
As always, the mini-comics are great. "The Teachers," "Moments," and "Girlfriends" all offer just a little more insight on many of the characters early moments in the series. Though it should be noted that spoilers will occur from diving in this yearbook before reading at least until the end of volume three.
Overall, "The Heartstopper Yearbook" is a quick stroll down memory lane with Alice Oseman themself. It's neat to hear all of their insider information and insights on how they created such an iconic universe with beloved characters. Seeing the full cast of characters brought to life in full color is also pretty cool, especially when given the opportunity to observe just how far Oseman's art has come over the years. I would definitely recommend superfans of this series check this one out.
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
5.0
The fifth volume of "Heartstopper" is here and Nick and Charlie's story continues to unfold.
Charlie and Nick have weathered quite a bit in the year and a half that they've known each other. With Charlie back from rehab and Nick finally out to his entire family, the two fall into their new normal. But what happens next? Are they ready for their relationship to go to the next level? And will everything be different once Nick moves onto a university?
This one looks into some really complicated parts of a romance that most people have to eventually face. With Nick graduating from high school soon, he is looking into just what in the world he wants to do with the rest of his life. He knows he wants to attend a university, but now with Charlie being such a focal point of his life, he isn't sure what to do. Does he stay close to Charlie? Or does he move and hope to gain new life experiences? Either way, Nick finds himself wondering, just who is he without Charlie?
Another of these things explored is sex. Oseman really captures the nuance of a worrywart trying to decide if they are ready to have sex or not. And the ongoing fear that they are going to be awful at anything new they attempt is also spot on. Oseman does a great job of expressing a great viewpoint on intimacy that highlights trust and joy. I felt soothed by her words and found myself laughing at the two boys and their awkwardness. Seriously, these two remind me of myself so heavily I'm starting to get real concerned.
This installment has the two boys growing closer to one another than they ever have been. Despite this, this one also showcases them learning how to stand up on their own two feet. Nick is exploring universities and his future, while Charlie is going to therapy and tackling things he wasn't confident enough to do in the past. It's so inspiring to see these two motivate each other to be better version of themselves.
Tori's side story in this one hit me quite potently. I don't want to spoil anything, but the speech that Charlie gives to his sister is awesome, and I wish that more people in this world had his (and my) mindset. I'm so excited to get into Tori's head as soon as my library request for "Solitaire" comes in.
I'm greatly saddened by the fact that there is only one more volume to go in the main series. But in the meantime, I'll get to explore a whole bunch of mini-comics, novellas, and other additional media featuring Charlie, Nick, and the gang. I seriously love everybody so much and I am so hopeful that they all get their happily ever afters in volume six.
Also, once I'm completely caught up with all the things, I'm so excited to check out the TV series. I was stoked to learn that it was getting an adaptation, but I wasn't going to check it out until I read all the books first. I love these books so much and the fact that Oseman is a writer and producer gives me faith that the show is going to be just as good!
Overall, the penultimate volume of "Heartstopper" encompassed so much goodness. Within this tome Nick and Charlie contemplate their future (together and individually), embrace their own personal interests, and explore different bedroom activities. I am still relating so heavily to these two boys, their relationship, and their individual thoughts. I'm so excited to dive into the final volume when it releases, but in the meantime, I'm definitely consuming all the other Charlie and Nick content that Oseman has to offer!
Charlie and Nick have weathered quite a bit in the year and a half that they've known each other. With Charlie back from rehab and Nick finally out to his entire family, the two fall into their new normal. But what happens next? Are they ready for their relationship to go to the next level? And will everything be different once Nick moves onto a university?
This one looks into some really complicated parts of a romance that most people have to eventually face. With Nick graduating from high school soon, he is looking into just what in the world he wants to do with the rest of his life. He knows he wants to attend a university, but now with Charlie being such a focal point of his life, he isn't sure what to do. Does he stay close to Charlie? Or does he move and hope to gain new life experiences? Either way, Nick finds himself wondering, just who is he without Charlie?
Another of these things explored is sex. Oseman really captures the nuance of a worrywart trying to decide if they are ready to have sex or not. And the ongoing fear that they are going to be awful at anything new they attempt is also spot on. Oseman does a great job of expressing a great viewpoint on intimacy that highlights trust and joy. I felt soothed by her words and found myself laughing at the two boys and their awkwardness. Seriously, these two remind me of myself so heavily I'm starting to get real concerned.
This installment has the two boys growing closer to one another than they ever have been. Despite this, this one also showcases them learning how to stand up on their own two feet. Nick is exploring universities and his future, while Charlie is going to therapy and tackling things he wasn't confident enough to do in the past. It's so inspiring to see these two motivate each other to be better version of themselves.
Tori's side story in this one hit me quite potently. I don't want to spoil anything, but the speech that Charlie gives to his sister is awesome, and I wish that more people in this world had his (and my) mindset. I'm so excited to get into Tori's head as soon as my library request for "Solitaire" comes in.
I'm greatly saddened by the fact that there is only one more volume to go in the main series. But in the meantime, I'll get to explore a whole bunch of mini-comics, novellas, and other additional media featuring Charlie, Nick, and the gang. I seriously love everybody so much and I am so hopeful that they all get their happily ever afters in volume six.
Also, once I'm completely caught up with all the things, I'm so excited to check out the TV series. I was stoked to learn that it was getting an adaptation, but I wasn't going to check it out until I read all the books first. I love these books so much and the fact that Oseman is a writer and producer gives me faith that the show is going to be just as good!
Overall, the penultimate volume of "Heartstopper" encompassed so much goodness. Within this tome Nick and Charlie contemplate their future (together and individually), embrace their own personal interests, and explore different bedroom activities. I am still relating so heavily to these two boys, their relationship, and their individual thoughts. I'm so excited to dive into the final volume when it releases, but in the meantime, I'm definitely consuming all the other Charlie and Nick content that Oseman has to offer!
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
5.0
Nick and Charlie are going on an emotional journey in the fourth installment of "Heartstopper."
Charlie and Nick have been dating for a while now, but they still haven't said those three little words: I love you. The boys eventually come to realize that there are more challenges in a relationship that they ever could have imagined.
The previous volumes of "Heartstopper" have been mostly just fluffy adorableness, but this one goes much deeper. And honestly, I'm loving Charlie and Nick as a couple even more because of it.
In this segment, the boys learn what it is like to not see each other for weeks at a time. The distance away from one's partner can feel super overwhelming at times, so I completely understand how Nick and Charlie were feeling throughout the course of this novel. Long-distance relationships can be so challenging, even when you get to visit one another frequently. It is so easy to be consumed by overwhelming loneliness, especially when one's mental health is less than optimal.
The mental health deep dive goes even deeper in this one. Charlie's eating disorder as well as his overall mental state gets much worse in this novel; him and Nick have to learn how to maintain a healthy relationship even through the tough patches. Nick is still dealing with the bigotry from his older brother, as well as stressing over how he is going to come out to his rarely present father. Both boys have plenty of things stressing them out, but they are so good at being there for one another, even when their own mental health is absolutely garbage. Everyone needs someone in their life that they can depend on like these two can, whether it be platonic or romantic.
Speaking of a support system, the boys have such a powerful one in place. Their friend group keeps getting bigger and is now made up of Aled, Tao, Elle, Tara, Darcy, and the newest addition, Sahar. When the boys couldn't be there for one another, you can bet that the rest of their friends were. Both boys also have great families that they can rely on, which isn't always the case. I'm so glad that both Charlie and Nick have so many people in their corners who will always help them fight their battles.
I just wanted to take a moment and appreciate how awesome Tori Spring is. She isn't the most important of characters, but every time she enters the page, it makes me want to clap enthusiastically. She is phenomenal at supporting her brother and standing up to the bullies of the world, even when she is dealing with her own share of struggles. I am really looking forward to reading more of her story in "Solitaire" once I finish up reading Nick and Charlie's arc.
Overall, the depth brought to the story in the fourth volume of "Heartstopper" is incredible. Charlie and Nick go through so much together, and their strength and willingness to support one another only makes me love them even more. Count me a superfan of Charlie, Nick, and the rest of the gang. See you in book five, everyone!
Charlie and Nick have been dating for a while now, but they still haven't said those three little words: I love you. The boys eventually come to realize that there are more challenges in a relationship that they ever could have imagined.
The previous volumes of "Heartstopper" have been mostly just fluffy adorableness, but this one goes much deeper. And honestly, I'm loving Charlie and Nick as a couple even more because of it.
In this segment, the boys learn what it is like to not see each other for weeks at a time. The distance away from one's partner can feel super overwhelming at times, so I completely understand how Nick and Charlie were feeling throughout the course of this novel. Long-distance relationships can be so challenging, even when you get to visit one another frequently. It is so easy to be consumed by overwhelming loneliness, especially when one's mental health is less than optimal.
The mental health deep dive goes even deeper in this one. Charlie's eating disorder as well as his overall mental state gets much worse in this novel; him and Nick have to learn how to maintain a healthy relationship even through the tough patches. Nick is still dealing with the bigotry from his older brother, as well as stressing over how he is going to come out to his rarely present father. Both boys have plenty of things stressing them out, but they are so good at being there for one another, even when their own mental health is absolutely garbage. Everyone needs someone in their life that they can depend on like these two can, whether it be platonic or romantic.
Speaking of a support system, the boys have such a powerful one in place. Their friend group keeps getting bigger and is now made up of Aled, Tao, Elle, Tara, Darcy, and the newest addition, Sahar. When the boys couldn't be there for one another, you can bet that the rest of their friends were. Both boys also have great families that they can rely on, which isn't always the case. I'm so glad that both Charlie and Nick have so many people in their corners who will always help them fight their battles.
I just wanted to take a moment and appreciate how awesome Tori Spring is. She isn't the most important of characters, but every time she enters the page, it makes me want to clap enthusiastically. She is phenomenal at supporting her brother and standing up to the bullies of the world, even when she is dealing with her own share of struggles. I am really looking forward to reading more of her story in "Solitaire" once I finish up reading Nick and Charlie's arc.
Overall, the depth brought to the story in the fourth volume of "Heartstopper" is incredible. Charlie and Nick go through so much together, and their strength and willingness to support one another only makes me love them even more. Count me a superfan of Charlie, Nick, and the rest of the gang. See you in book five, everyone!
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
5.0
Nick and Charlie are going to Paris in the third volume of "Heartstopper."
Charlie and Nick have been dating for a few months now. Nick has officially come out to his mum, but it's time for the boys to work on telling all the rest of their friends and family members that they are officially a couple now.
I love these two so much. At this point, I would read about them eating soup together, but I'm so glad that I get to read more exciting adventures starring Mr. Spring and Mr. Nelson.
In this third volume, we follow Nick and Charlie on a class trip to Paris. They are both navigating telling their friends and family that they are a couple. As well as discovering what it means to be with someone when there is still so much that one doesn't know about their other half.
This installment takes a deeper look into mental health. Many of Charlie's old demons are coming back to haunt him as Nick begins to come out to everyone. Not that long ago Charlie was relentlessly bullied, and he fears that the same will happen to Nick. There are also discussions of self-harm and eating disorders, so make sure to read this portion of the series with care.
I absolutely love learning more about the personal lives of Charlie and Nick. The more I learn about both boys, the more I find myself adoring them. I keep finding myself more and more drawn to Charlie as a person. He's freezing cold all the time, worries about being a burden to those he loves, sports a huge flannel collection, and has an addiction to reading queer literature. Some of the scenes in which he breaks down and tells Nick about some of his deepest fears felt like they were coming out of my own head. I love this boy so much, and I find so much comfort in seeing his love story come to life. Also, he share's a birthday with my boyfriend, which is pretty dang cool.
I also really appreciate how this addition to the story brings more of the side characters center stage. Aled, Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy are all such fun and colorful characters, and I'm so happy that Charlie and Nick have an amazing group of friends to call their own. Also, I adored the side arc between Mr. Farouk and Mr. Ajayi; it was truly peak. *chef's kiss*
Overall, the third volume of "Heartstopper" has me more than hooked on this series. I am so deeply in love with both Charlie and Nick as characters. I relate to both of them immensely, but I see so much of myself in Charlie it's honestly scary. The entire cast of characters are amazing, and I find myself drawn to all of them in their own unique ways. Now, onto volume four!
Charlie and Nick have been dating for a few months now. Nick has officially come out to his mum, but it's time for the boys to work on telling all the rest of their friends and family members that they are officially a couple now.
I love these two so much. At this point, I would read about them eating soup together, but I'm so glad that I get to read more exciting adventures starring Mr. Spring and Mr. Nelson.
In this third volume, we follow Nick and Charlie on a class trip to Paris. They are both navigating telling their friends and family that they are a couple. As well as discovering what it means to be with someone when there is still so much that one doesn't know about their other half.
This installment takes a deeper look into mental health. Many of Charlie's old demons are coming back to haunt him as Nick begins to come out to everyone. Not that long ago Charlie was relentlessly bullied, and he fears that the same will happen to Nick. There are also discussions of self-harm and eating disorders, so make sure to read this portion of the series with care.
I absolutely love learning more about the personal lives of Charlie and Nick. The more I learn about both boys, the more I find myself adoring them. I keep finding myself more and more drawn to Charlie as a person. He's freezing cold all the time, worries about being a burden to those he loves, sports a huge flannel collection, and has an addiction to reading queer literature. Some of the scenes in which he breaks down and tells Nick about some of his deepest fears felt like they were coming out of my own head. I love this boy so much, and I find so much comfort in seeing his love story come to life. Also, he share's a birthday with my boyfriend, which is pretty dang cool.
I also really appreciate how this addition to the story brings more of the side characters center stage. Aled, Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy are all such fun and colorful characters, and I'm so happy that Charlie and Nick have an amazing group of friends to call their own. Also, I adored the side arc between Mr. Farouk and Mr. Ajayi; it was truly peak. *chef's kiss*
Overall, the third volume of "Heartstopper" has me more than hooked on this series. I am so deeply in love with both Charlie and Nick as characters. I relate to both of them immensely, but I see so much of myself in Charlie it's honestly scary. The entire cast of characters are amazing, and I find myself drawn to all of them in their own unique ways. Now, onto volume four!
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
5.0
The story of Charlie and Nick continues in the second volume of "Heartstopper."
Nick and Charlie have just kissed for the first time. But what does this mean for them? Was it all a mistake, or could they really make being a couple work?
This installment had me giggling aloud and kicking my feet double the amount of times that the first one did! Charlie and Nick are seriously so cute together, and I just can't get enough of them. Every time that their hands touch or their eyes meet, I can feel the joy that radiates off of them so intensely. And their first official date is so darn cute!
This part of the "Heartstopper" story mainly focuses on Nick grappling with his identity and the mental preparation it takes to come out to those he loves. This is such a tough thing for people to go through, and it makes me so happy that Nick had Charlie by his side every step of the way. They may be extremely awkward, but they are already such a power couple!
Every single time that the boys said, "Why are we like this?" this resonated with me so deeply! My boyfriend and I are also super awkward and don't like to infer things unless we get one hundred percent spoken permission from the other and I have often texted him this exact sentiment. I ship these two so hard, and I see a lot of my own romance arc in these two boys.
Both of Charlie's siblings, Tori and Oliver, get a little more page time in this installment. Oliver is such a cute child who absolutely adores Nick, which is so adorable! Tori is a bit moodier and tends to tease Charlie, but I love how she's always there for him and supporting him in her own way.
Overall, the second installment of "Heartstopper" had me constantly giggling and kicking my feet. I was so giddy while reading this one; it's seriously pure dopamine for the soul in the fluffiest of ways. I love how it also tackles some harder issues, such as grappling with one's sexuality and coming out on one's own time, but it keeps the tone light. I can't wait to dig into the next volume and dive even deeper into Nick and Charlie's relationship!
Nick and Charlie have just kissed for the first time. But what does this mean for them? Was it all a mistake, or could they really make being a couple work?
This installment had me giggling aloud and kicking my feet double the amount of times that the first one did! Charlie and Nick are seriously so cute together, and I just can't get enough of them. Every time that their hands touch or their eyes meet, I can feel the joy that radiates off of them so intensely. And their first official date is so darn cute!
This part of the "Heartstopper" story mainly focuses on Nick grappling with his identity and the mental preparation it takes to come out to those he loves. This is such a tough thing for people to go through, and it makes me so happy that Nick had Charlie by his side every step of the way. They may be extremely awkward, but they are already such a power couple!
Every single time that the boys said, "Why are we like this?" this resonated with me so deeply! My boyfriend and I are also super awkward and don't like to infer things unless we get one hundred percent spoken permission from the other and I have often texted him this exact sentiment. I ship these two so hard, and I see a lot of my own romance arc in these two boys.
Both of Charlie's siblings, Tori and Oliver, get a little more page time in this installment. Oliver is such a cute child who absolutely adores Nick, which is so adorable! Tori is a bit moodier and tends to tease Charlie, but I love how she's always there for him and supporting him in her own way.
Overall, the second installment of "Heartstopper" had me constantly giggling and kicking my feet. I was so giddy while reading this one; it's seriously pure dopamine for the soul in the fluffiest of ways. I love how it also tackles some harder issues, such as grappling with one's sexuality and coming out on one's own time, but it keeps the tone light. I can't wait to dig into the next volume and dive even deeper into Nick and Charlie's relationship!
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
5.0
The first volume in the acclaimed "Heartstopper" series featuring two boys who might just be falling for one another.
Charlie is an openly gay overthinker at an all-boy grammar school, which isn't without its difficulties. He's made it through a rough patch of bullying, and is now relatively popular, but that doesn't mean that his life is awesome. That is, until he meets Nick, an optimistic rugby player who just so happens to be even popular than he is. When the two boys meet, they feel closer to each other than they have ever felt to anyone before. But what do these feelings truly mean?
Oh my goodness, that was so adorable and heartwarming! I've been so excited to check out this series and see what all the hype was about, but I was also a little concerned that I wouldn't love these books as much as the rest of the world seems to. That however, was definitely not the case. I love Nick and Charlie so much already, and I've only known them for a few hundred pages.
Charlie is the type of character that I find myself loving immediately. He's an awkward nerd who apologizes too much and doesn't seem to know quite where they fit into the world. He's also definitely an overthinker, which I can certainly relate to. My heart totally goes out to him for all that he's been through; it makes me so mad that people bully others so relentlessly and it pains me that Ben was using Charlie the way that he was at the start of this novel.
Nick in his own right is just as lovable as Charlie. He's a golden retriever of a boy who finds his own happiness in making others happy. He's also a pretty stellar rugby player, which is something I know I was aware of at some point, but I had forgotten prior to starting this book. The way that he goes out of his way to include Charlie and the way that he is always there for him is so wholesome.
This book essentially featured a montage of different moments such as the two boys playing rugby, making snow angels, and roasting each other at Mario Kart. I couldn't help grinning constantly at all the passing glances they gave one other. I was quite frankly just waiting for these two to kiss already (despite this only being the first volume). I ship these two so hard, and I'm so happy that I can dive into the next volume immediately.
The art in this one is so dang cute! It's monochromatic and not overly detailed, but this is the perfect medium to tell such a cute and cozy story such as the beginning of "Heartstopper." Oseman does such a great job at using facial expressions, punctuation, and even simple smiley faces to enhance the narrative immensely. It is so easy to pick up on how the Charlie and Nick are feeling at all times, and it is hard not to smile at all of their little antics.
Overall, I was blown away by the first volume of "Heartstopper." I had a pretty great feeling that it was going to be good, but I'm so relieved that the hype surrounding this series is true. Charlie and Nick are both such lovable characters and seeing them interact is nothing short of wholesome and inspiring. I'm already loving these two, so I can't wait to learn more of their story in the coming volumes!
Charlie is an openly gay overthinker at an all-boy grammar school, which isn't without its difficulties. He's made it through a rough patch of bullying, and is now relatively popular, but that doesn't mean that his life is awesome. That is, until he meets Nick, an optimistic rugby player who just so happens to be even popular than he is. When the two boys meet, they feel closer to each other than they have ever felt to anyone before. But what do these feelings truly mean?
Oh my goodness, that was so adorable and heartwarming! I've been so excited to check out this series and see what all the hype was about, but I was also a little concerned that I wouldn't love these books as much as the rest of the world seems to. That however, was definitely not the case. I love Nick and Charlie so much already, and I've only known them for a few hundred pages.
Charlie is the type of character that I find myself loving immediately. He's an awkward nerd who apologizes too much and doesn't seem to know quite where they fit into the world. He's also definitely an overthinker, which I can certainly relate to. My heart totally goes out to him for all that he's been through; it makes me so mad that people bully others so relentlessly and it pains me that Ben was using Charlie the way that he was at the start of this novel.
Nick in his own right is just as lovable as Charlie. He's a golden retriever of a boy who finds his own happiness in making others happy. He's also a pretty stellar rugby player, which is something I know I was aware of at some point, but I had forgotten prior to starting this book. The way that he goes out of his way to include Charlie and the way that he is always there for him is so wholesome.
This book essentially featured a montage of different moments such as the two boys playing rugby, making snow angels, and roasting each other at Mario Kart. I couldn't help grinning constantly at all the passing glances they gave one other. I was quite frankly just waiting for these two to kiss already (despite this only being the first volume). I ship these two so hard, and I'm so happy that I can dive into the next volume immediately.
The art in this one is so dang cute! It's monochromatic and not overly detailed, but this is the perfect medium to tell such a cute and cozy story such as the beginning of "Heartstopper." Oseman does such a great job at using facial expressions, punctuation, and even simple smiley faces to enhance the narrative immensely. It is so easy to pick up on how the Charlie and Nick are feeling at all times, and it is hard not to smile at all of their little antics.
Overall, I was blown away by the first volume of "Heartstopper." I had a pretty great feeling that it was going to be good, but I'm so relieved that the hype surrounding this series is true. Charlie and Nick are both such lovable characters and seeing them interact is nothing short of wholesome and inspiring. I'm already loving these two, so I can't wait to learn more of their story in the coming volumes!
Thus with a Kiss I Die by Christina Dodd
5.0
Rosalie Montague, the daughter of Romeo and Juliet—yes, the Romeo and Juliet—is back at it again solving another murder mystery in fair Verona.
After a lover's tryst gone awry, Rosalie "Rosie" Montague finds herself betrothed to the wrong guy. Wanting nothing more but to marry her One True Love, Lysander, Rosie is less than enthused that she now has to marry Escalus, the prince of Verona. On her first visit to the castle, she finds the ghost of Escalus' father and is tasked to find out who murdered him all those years ago. As Rosie begins to dig into the case, unease spreads across Verona and secrets abound in the darkest corners all while Rosie is trying her hardest not to fall for the roguish (but admittedly quite ugly) prince.
This is my second romp with Rosie, and admittedly it has been a while since I read the first book. This means that it took me a minute to remember just where exactly this book picks up. At the very end of the first book, Rosie and Lysander decide to make out in her family's garden to "despoil" her leaving them no choice but to run away together. In reality nothing goes as planned and it turns out that Prince Escalus had Lysander retained and took his spot instead. After Rosie unwittingly makes out with the prince in Lysander's stead, she has no choice but to reluctantly agree to marry the prince or besmirch the Montague name forever. This is a classic twist on the ending of Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," which I totally ate up. It is only fair that Rosie attempts her own lover's tryst only for it to end in tragedy.
It took me a moment to get back in the flow of things and remember why I love this series so much, but once I did, I was totally hooked! Rosie's sass, the allusions to Shakespeare's various works, and the bond that he Montague family has are some of my favorite parts of this series. I couldn't help but enjoy being immersed in this world once more!
The way that Rosie meets Escalus' (I'm going to refer to him by his nickname "Cal" from here on out) father by the same name (who is referred to as Elder) is very "Hamlet" coded and I found this to be quite hilarious. I was a tad frightened that this meant that the one who killed him was going to be Cal's uncle, but luckily, it took knowing him for all of three seconds to realize he couldn't hurt a fly. The murder mystery in this one was intriguing enough, but I don't think I would have been nearly as invested if Elder wasn't there to haunt (and pester) Rosie every step of the way.
The Montague family is truly iconic in its own right. We all know Romeo and Juliet and not much has changed even twenty years later. Romeo still stabs first, thinks never. Juliet may be a doting mother now, but that doesn't stop the pair from being wild in the bedroom. Juliet is pregnant with yet another baby (I think it's their eighth, though I'm not positive), so that just goes to show how large the Montague family is. Putting all the kids in one room is truly dangerous, but I'm always down to see the schemes that the kids come up with.
I didn't expect to enjoy reading about the blossoming romance between Rosie and Cal as much as I did. Rosie is vehemently against him at the start of this book, so it was endearing watching Cal try to melt her icy exterior. I'm not going to touch on this too much more in this review to avoid spoilers but let me just say that Lysander (AKA Rosie's One True Love) is definitely not out of the picture.
The action scene at the end of this one was written so masterfully! Despite knowing that nothing bad was going to happen to Rosie, I was quite concerned for her safety. And the romantic tension in that last chapter? Man does that have me looking forward to the next installment!
Overall, "Thus With a Kiss I Die" was another great addition to the "Daughter of Montague" series. Seeing Rosie solve another murder mystery was so entertaining, as was watching her icy exterior melt as her hearts starts to warm to the prince. The comedy is also golden; I found myself especially drawn to the banter between Rosie and the ghost of her fiancée's father. I will always adore her sass and the way that she complains about being the daughter of Romeo and Juliet while simultaneously being willing to do anything for her Montague family. The ending is superb, and it has me once again so excited to read the next installment in this series! If you love historical romances, Shakespeare, or comical murder mysteries, you're missing out if you haven't started this series yet!
After a lover's tryst gone awry, Rosalie "Rosie" Montague finds herself betrothed to the wrong guy. Wanting nothing more but to marry her One True Love, Lysander, Rosie is less than enthused that she now has to marry Escalus, the prince of Verona. On her first visit to the castle, she finds the ghost of Escalus' father and is tasked to find out who murdered him all those years ago. As Rosie begins to dig into the case, unease spreads across Verona and secrets abound in the darkest corners all while Rosie is trying her hardest not to fall for the roguish (but admittedly quite ugly) prince.
This is my second romp with Rosie, and admittedly it has been a while since I read the first book. This means that it took me a minute to remember just where exactly this book picks up. At the very end of the first book, Rosie and Lysander decide to make out in her family's garden to "despoil" her leaving them no choice but to run away together. In reality nothing goes as planned and it turns out that Prince Escalus had Lysander retained and took his spot instead. After Rosie unwittingly makes out with the prince in Lysander's stead, she has no choice but to reluctantly agree to marry the prince or besmirch the Montague name forever. This is a classic twist on the ending of Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," which I totally ate up. It is only fair that Rosie attempts her own lover's tryst only for it to end in tragedy.
It took me a moment to get back in the flow of things and remember why I love this series so much, but once I did, I was totally hooked! Rosie's sass, the allusions to Shakespeare's various works, and the bond that he Montague family has are some of my favorite parts of this series. I couldn't help but enjoy being immersed in this world once more!
The way that Rosie meets Escalus' (I'm going to refer to him by his nickname "Cal" from here on out) father by the same name (who is referred to as Elder) is very "Hamlet" coded and I found this to be quite hilarious. I was a tad frightened that this meant that the one who killed him was going to be Cal's uncle, but luckily, it took knowing him for all of three seconds to realize he couldn't hurt a fly. The murder mystery in this one was intriguing enough, but I don't think I would have been nearly as invested if Elder wasn't there to haunt (and pester) Rosie every step of the way.
The Montague family is truly iconic in its own right. We all know Romeo and Juliet and not much has changed even twenty years later. Romeo still stabs first, thinks never. Juliet may be a doting mother now, but that doesn't stop the pair from being wild in the bedroom. Juliet is pregnant with yet another baby (I think it's their eighth, though I'm not positive), so that just goes to show how large the Montague family is. Putting all the kids in one room is truly dangerous, but I'm always down to see the schemes that the kids come up with.
I didn't expect to enjoy reading about the blossoming romance between Rosie and Cal as much as I did. Rosie is vehemently against him at the start of this book, so it was endearing watching Cal try to melt her icy exterior. I'm not going to touch on this too much more in this review to avoid spoilers but let me just say that Lysander (AKA Rosie's One True Love) is definitely not out of the picture.
The action scene at the end of this one was written so masterfully! Despite knowing that nothing bad was going to happen to Rosie, I was quite concerned for her safety. And the romantic tension in that last chapter? Man does that have me looking forward to the next installment!
Overall, "Thus With a Kiss I Die" was another great addition to the "Daughter of Montague" series. Seeing Rosie solve another murder mystery was so entertaining, as was watching her icy exterior melt as her hearts starts to warm to the prince. The comedy is also golden; I found myself especially drawn to the banter between Rosie and the ghost of her fiancée's father. I will always adore her sass and the way that she complains about being the daughter of Romeo and Juliet while simultaneously being willing to do anything for her Montague family. The ending is superb, and it has me once again so excited to read the next installment in this series! If you love historical romances, Shakespeare, or comical murder mysteries, you're missing out if you haven't started this series yet!
Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman
3.0
From the man that brought us the iconic character of Ron Swanson in "Parks and Recreation" comes a humorous memoir that contemplates the fundamental parts of what makes life so great.
After finishing "Parks and Recreation" with my boyfriend, I thought it would be fun to check out some memoirs written by the cast. I decided to start with Offerman's "Paddle Your Own Canoe" despite the great allure of Amy Poehler's "Yes Please." There's something about the cover of this book that made me want to read it immediately; it is truly a classic Offerman photo.
There were many things that I really enjoyed about this memoir and other things that I found to be slightly annoying and others that I found to be straight up boring. I'll start with the positives.
Learning about Offerman's humble beginnings as a farmer boy in rural Illinois definitely explains a few things about his nature and overall vibe. Following his early years of living that brimmed with stupidity was also quite fun, especially when we transitioned over to his days doing live theatre in Chicago before he moved to Los Angeles. My favorite parts of this book were actually towards the end though, when he recounts meeting his wife, Megan Mullally, and how they fell for one another.
Learning about the behind the scenes of how he booked Ron Swanson was also certainly a highlight. He has much in common with the character, such as his love for red meat and whisky, the fact that he himself is also a woodcarver, and hey, he authentically played the saxophone in high school. It is always fun to see how actor's lives bleed into those of their characters while also learning more about their differences along the way.
Every chapter in this book is followed up by a humorous essay that mirrors a topic similar to that addressed in that chapter. Some of these essays were pretty funny and had me learning a ton about Offerman. Others were just crass, tried too hard to be funny, and didn't do much to move me. I applaud Offerman for giving this format a try, but I feel it was only sorta effective. On one hand, it made the book go by faster, but on the other hand, things often got to be a tad repetitive.
I think the thing that drug this book down the most for me was all the references to media I've never heard of and the allusions to people I didn't recognize. I'm sure if you are an Offerman super fan more of them would have meant something to you, but that wasn't the case for me. Also, there were a few times where the same thing just seemed to go on forever, but this only bugged me occasionally. And this mostly occurred when he was going on and on about some movie that I didn't care about or the greatness of an actor I've never heard of.
I can also say that I didn't always vibe with Offerman's writing style. He is definitely honest, which I appreciate, but he is also overly crass for next to no reason (I get it, it's part of his humor style). Sometimes, his urge to be funny taints the authenticity of the narrative a tad, but I appreciate that he's his unapologetically honest self the entire time.
Overall, it was really fun reading "Paddle Your Own Canoe" and learning more about Nick Offerman. He definitely has some interesting opinions, but he also makes a ton of great observations about the world. I may not have loved every page of this memoir, but the insight I gleaned from it was still beneficial to me. I feel I will pick up more of his work in the future (I'm especially interested in "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told," which is the book that he penned with his wife), but I think I'm going to take a breather from his work for a bit and jump over to his co-star Amy Poehler and see what wisdom she has to share in her memoir.
After finishing "Parks and Recreation" with my boyfriend, I thought it would be fun to check out some memoirs written by the cast. I decided to start with Offerman's "Paddle Your Own Canoe" despite the great allure of Amy Poehler's "Yes Please." There's something about the cover of this book that made me want to read it immediately; it is truly a classic Offerman photo.
There were many things that I really enjoyed about this memoir and other things that I found to be slightly annoying and others that I found to be straight up boring. I'll start with the positives.
Learning about Offerman's humble beginnings as a farmer boy in rural Illinois definitely explains a few things about his nature and overall vibe. Following his early years of living that brimmed with stupidity was also quite fun, especially when we transitioned over to his days doing live theatre in Chicago before he moved to Los Angeles. My favorite parts of this book were actually towards the end though, when he recounts meeting his wife, Megan Mullally, and how they fell for one another.
Learning about the behind the scenes of how he booked Ron Swanson was also certainly a highlight. He has much in common with the character, such as his love for red meat and whisky, the fact that he himself is also a woodcarver, and hey, he authentically played the saxophone in high school. It is always fun to see how actor's lives bleed into those of their characters while also learning more about their differences along the way.
Every chapter in this book is followed up by a humorous essay that mirrors a topic similar to that addressed in that chapter. Some of these essays were pretty funny and had me learning a ton about Offerman. Others were just crass, tried too hard to be funny, and didn't do much to move me. I applaud Offerman for giving this format a try, but I feel it was only sorta effective. On one hand, it made the book go by faster, but on the other hand, things often got to be a tad repetitive.
I think the thing that drug this book down the most for me was all the references to media I've never heard of and the allusions to people I didn't recognize. I'm sure if you are an Offerman super fan more of them would have meant something to you, but that wasn't the case for me. Also, there were a few times where the same thing just seemed to go on forever, but this only bugged me occasionally. And this mostly occurred when he was going on and on about some movie that I didn't care about or the greatness of an actor I've never heard of.
I can also say that I didn't always vibe with Offerman's writing style. He is definitely honest, which I appreciate, but he is also overly crass for next to no reason (I get it, it's part of his humor style). Sometimes, his urge to be funny taints the authenticity of the narrative a tad, but I appreciate that he's his unapologetically honest self the entire time.
Overall, it was really fun reading "Paddle Your Own Canoe" and learning more about Nick Offerman. He definitely has some interesting opinions, but he also makes a ton of great observations about the world. I may not have loved every page of this memoir, but the insight I gleaned from it was still beneficial to me. I feel I will pick up more of his work in the future (I'm especially interested in "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told," which is the book that he penned with his wife), but I think I'm going to take a breather from his work for a bit and jump over to his co-star Amy Poehler and see what wisdom she has to share in her memoir.
Dominion, Vol. 1 by Memoh. Comics, Memoh. Comics
4.0
A guard and an arsonist reluctantly team up to investigate a suspicious plot in this first volume of a brand new series that can be read online or on paper!
Desmond Oakenhart has recently moved to the merchant city of Blackbridge as a newly accepted member of the Blackbridge Guard. Desperate to use his powers as one of the Blessed for good, Desmond is trying to prove to the guard that he has what it takes to protect the people of the realm. Unfortunately, his underhanded family can't keep their nose out of his business, and he finds himself stuck as his brother's personal bodyguard in one of the most suspicious areas of the city. After an unlikely meeting with an arsonist, he is assigned to work with them in order to solve a dangerous mystery.
I want to give a quick shoutout to Memoh. Comics for hiring me to help promote this comic. I would never have heard of this one or gotten the chance to read it without their marketing efforts, so I applaud them for that.
My favorite part of this comic is by far Desmond himself. He is a golden retriever kind of a guy; he's so sweet and loyal! I appreciate his dedication to serving his people and using his powers for good, but I feel that he might be in for a hard awakening when he comes to realize just how twisted the world can be. I admire his enthusiasm and the way he approaches things and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better in future installments.
By the time this volume concludes, we've barely met the second main character, Pasha. She is quite a mysterious figure who also has magic and there is certainly much more than that meets the eye when it comes to her. I definitely want to learn more about her backstory and just what the opening sequences of this story actually signified.
By the bonus images provided in the back of the book, I gleaned that this series is eventually going to shift into a romance, which has me excited. Though I didn't feel any immediate chemistry between Desmond and Pasha, I have faith that their relationship will go far and that I will find myself shipping them down the line.
This installment is obviously the beginning of the series, and it spends the majority of its time laying down the foundation for future installments. Due to this, not a ton happens, but it certainly has me intrigued about what is to come. The world that this series is set in seems full of dangerous secrets and complicated magic, so I am super interested in seeing what else Memoh. Comics has in store for this series.
I must say, I really like the character designs throughout this novel. I think Desmond's younger sister, Cat, has got to be my favorite, but honestly, Desmond's entire family kinda pops off design wise. Pasha also has a really neat vibe going, so count me a fan of the character art.
Overall, the first volume of "Dominion" was a great introduction to a world brimming with magic and mystery. Desmond is such a sweet main character who has such a positive outlook on the world; it's hard not to smile when he's being so authentically pure. The art style is great with phenomenal character designs. This volume might not be the most action packed, but it certainly has me intrigued about what more this series has to offer. I will definitely be looking out for future installments of "Dominion"!
Desmond Oakenhart has recently moved to the merchant city of Blackbridge as a newly accepted member of the Blackbridge Guard. Desperate to use his powers as one of the Blessed for good, Desmond is trying to prove to the guard that he has what it takes to protect the people of the realm. Unfortunately, his underhanded family can't keep their nose out of his business, and he finds himself stuck as his brother's personal bodyguard in one of the most suspicious areas of the city. After an unlikely meeting with an arsonist, he is assigned to work with them in order to solve a dangerous mystery.
I want to give a quick shoutout to Memoh. Comics for hiring me to help promote this comic. I would never have heard of this one or gotten the chance to read it without their marketing efforts, so I applaud them for that.
My favorite part of this comic is by far Desmond himself. He is a golden retriever kind of a guy; he's so sweet and loyal! I appreciate his dedication to serving his people and using his powers for good, but I feel that he might be in for a hard awakening when he comes to realize just how twisted the world can be. I admire his enthusiasm and the way he approaches things and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better in future installments.
By the time this volume concludes, we've barely met the second main character, Pasha. She is quite a mysterious figure who also has magic and there is certainly much more than that meets the eye when it comes to her. I definitely want to learn more about her backstory and just what the opening sequences of this story actually signified.
By the bonus images provided in the back of the book, I gleaned that this series is eventually going to shift into a romance, which has me excited. Though I didn't feel any immediate chemistry between Desmond and Pasha, I have faith that their relationship will go far and that I will find myself shipping them down the line.
This installment is obviously the beginning of the series, and it spends the majority of its time laying down the foundation for future installments. Due to this, not a ton happens, but it certainly has me intrigued about what is to come. The world that this series is set in seems full of dangerous secrets and complicated magic, so I am super interested in seeing what else Memoh. Comics has in store for this series.
I must say, I really like the character designs throughout this novel. I think Desmond's younger sister, Cat, has got to be my favorite, but honestly, Desmond's entire family kinda pops off design wise. Pasha also has a really neat vibe going, so count me a fan of the character art.
Overall, the first volume of "Dominion" was a great introduction to a world brimming with magic and mystery. Desmond is such a sweet main character who has such a positive outlook on the world; it's hard not to smile when he's being so authentically pure. The art style is great with phenomenal character designs. This volume might not be the most action packed, but it certainly has me intrigued about what more this series has to offer. I will definitely be looking out for future installments of "Dominion"!