A Little Levity

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Gilbert Gottfried, Humor, Mueller Report, Stephen Colbert, The Late Show

 

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Scream All Night, by Derek Milman ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Child Abuse, Contemporary Fiction, Dysfunctional Families, Humor, LGBTQ, Romance, YA Fiction

Thanks to Edelweiss and Balzer & Bray for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

400 Pages

Synopsis: A darkly hilarious contemporary realistic young adult novel about growing up and finding your place in the world, perfect for fans of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Running With Scissors.

Dario Heyward knows one thing: He’s never going back to Moldavia Studios, the iconic castle that served as the set, studio, and home to the cast and crew of dozens of cult, classic B-horror movies. It’s been three years since Dario’s even seen the place, after getting legally emancipated from his father, the infamous director of Moldavia’s creature features.

But then Dario’s brother invites him home to a mysterious ceremony involving his father and a tribute to his first film—The Curse of the Mummy’s Tongue. Dario swears his homecoming will be a one-time visit. A way for him to get closure on his past—and reunite with Hayley, his first love and costar of Zombie Children of the Harvest Sun, a production fraught with real-life tragedy—and say goodbye for good. But the unthinkable happens—Dario gets sucked back into the twisted world of Moldavia and the horrors, real and imagined, he’s left there.

With only months to rescue the sinking studio and everyone who has built their lives there, Dario must confront the demons of his past—and the uncertainties of his future. But can he escape the place that’s haunted him his whole life?

“This is a house full of misfits, everyone unmoored from the world outside these gates. They don’t belong out there. They live in a constantly moving dreamworld of imagined horrors, spurts of gore, skulking monsters—creatures more aberrant than themselves. After all, it takes true misfits to make believable monsters.” 

Where do I start? Scream All Night is one of the most creative and original, yet totally bonkers books, I’ve come across in a long time. I read it last summer, yet I still remember it like it was yesterday. As the book opens, seventeen-year-old Dario (named after Italian giallo-horror director Dario Argento), finds himself reluctantly back in the bizarre world of Moldavia Studios after having legally emancipated himself from his parents. His mother is in a mental institution and his brilliant but abusive father has planned a live funeral for which attendance is mandatory. Dario has some extremely mixed feelings regarding his childhood and family, so once he returns to deal with some of these larger than life characters, he also has to deal with both the wonderful and the traumatic memories that he escaped from.

“That’s when I learned that with beauty comes a little bit of terror. That pretty much sums up my childhood here: something cool would happen, immediately followed by something traumatic. I could never come to terms with those knee-jerk jumps.”

What ensues is a darkly comedic coming-of-age story that will have you laughing out loud one moment and tearing up the next. It’s a zany mix combining the moving story of a young man facing his childhood demons, with the ludicrous, over-the-top antics of his family. The creepy setting of a castle where B horror movies are made just makes it all even more nuts.

“The spiders will always hatch out of the flowers. But now I like to think of the moments before, when they’re just flowers, blooming and they can be pinched closed so that all that prettiness lasts a little longer before the inevitable horror comes.

Scream All Night is a YA book that I highly recommend to adults who don’t normally read books for teens. It’s quirky and heart wrenching, and you’re bound to fall in love with Dario. Derek Milman’s flawless writing has made me a fan and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!

 

 

 

 

 

Broken Heart Attack (Braxton Campus Mysteries #2), by James J. Cudney ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Humor

I’d like to thank the author for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

272 Pages

Synopsis: When an extra ticket becomes available to attend the dress rehearsal of  Braxton’s King Lear production, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies, sisters-in-law Eustacia and Gwendolyn Paddington, to show support for the rest of the Paddington family. When one of them appears to have a heart attack in the middle of the second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate who killed her friend. Amidst family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns the Paddingtons may not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks. But did one of them commit murder for an inheritance? 

Kellan’s back in his second adventure since returning home to Pennsylvania. With his personal life in upheaval and his new boss, Myriam, making life difficult, will he be able to find a killer, or will he get caught up in his own version of stage fright?

Oh my goodness! I said in my review of the first book in this series, Broken Heart Attack, that Jay hit it out of the park. Well Academic Curveball is even better! My one critique of the previous book was that I thought it slowed down a bit in the middle. Well, that certainly didn’t happen here. I started reading this after supper and finished it an hour and a half later. It’s fun, amusing, full of strong and quirky personalities, and the mystery is twisty and unpredictable and will keep you guessing. It’s amazing how much Jay packs into a cozy that’s under 300 pages.

Broken Heart Attack is the fourth book I’ve read by Jay and I’ve loved all of them. It’s not often you have the privilege of seeing someone start out at the beginning of their career and watch them develop into a superstar. Jay is a brilliant author, one of the best I’ve come across in my many years of reading and I just cannot recommend his books highly enough!

On the Lighter Side

Tags

Humor

Y’all have to check out these two adorable teen brothers try to figure out how to use a rotary phone. It’s things like this that put everything else going on in the world into perspective.

 

 

 

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Tags

Black Friday, Humor

Well, here we are. After spending the day reflecting upon what we’re thankful for, the insanity that’s fondly referred to as Black Friday is almost here. To those brave souls who are about to venture forth into the mayhem, Stay safe!

 

On the Lighter Side

Tags

Humor, On the Lighter Side, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Well, I still haven’t managed to get my hands on a coveted copy of Bob Woodward’s forthcoming book, something I’m bitterly resentful about. Seriously, what makes CNN so special? But thanks to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, we have some early thoughts from some reviewers I implicitly trust.

 

The Storm Runner (The Storm Runner #1), by J.C. Cervantes ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Diversity, Humor, Mayan Mythology, Middle School Fiction, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Book Group/Rick Riordan Presents for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: September 18th, 2018

448 Pages

Synopsis: Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno—for his one good leg. What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he’s imprisoned in—unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.

The Storm Runner is the second book in the new Rick Riordan Presents imprint of Disney Book Group, and I loved it so much you’ll have to forgive my gushing.  Before I begin though, I have to reveal a spoiler for animal lovers.

Right at the beginning of the book, Zane’s dog Rosie dies, but she comes back—sort of. You all know how much I love animals so you’re going to have to trust me when I say that her “death” is imperative to the Zane’s journey.

**********

Okay, spoiler over.

So, first there’s the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? And it’s an illustration for a scene in the book. More importantly though, EVERYTHING in this book is brilliant! Zane is a Latino character who you can’t help but root for. He’s funny, loyal, determined, courageous, and doesn’t let his disability define him. He makes mistakes along his quest, but this just makes him even more relatable.  The secondary cast are just as interesting, and complex. The Mayan gods and other supernatural beings are fascinating and I can’t wait to learn even more about them in the second book.

The world building is so richly detailed that I felt as though I was there. The plot is fast paced and entertaining with a perfect combination of dark and humorous moments. Zane’s quest has plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers feverishly turning the pages. The author does a phenomenal job at introducing readers to Mayan mythology without slowing the pace down. The exciting ending neatly ties everything up while also setting the stage for the next book The Fire Keeper which is coming out next year.

The Storm Runner is a book that if I were still a children’s librarian, I’d be promoting heavily for upper elementary and middle school kids. It’s a wonderful introduction into a mythology that most probably won’t be familiar with. Heck, I didn’t know anything about Mayan gods and stories. For example, did you know there’s a goddess of chocolate? Yep, her name is Ixcacao, and while she only makes a brief appearance in this book, I’m hoping we see more of her in future books. I highly recommend this for fans Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and his Kane Chronicles series.

The Future Will Be BS Free, by Will McIntosh ~ 3.5 Stars

Tags

Coming-of-age stories, Dystopian Fiction, Humor, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s  for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Release Date: July 24th, 2018

352 Pages

Synopsis: In this terrifyingly timely tale for fans of The Eye of Minds, a teen and his group of friends find themselves on the run after using a genius lie-detector contraption to expose their corrupt government.

In a Putin-esque near-future America, the gifted and talented high school has just been eliminated, and Sam and his friends have been using their unexpected free time to work on a tiny, undetectable, utterly reliable lie detector. They’re all in it for the money—except Theo, their visionary. For Theo, it’s about crafting a better world. A BS-free world, where no one can lie, and the honest will thrive.

Just when they finish the prototype and turn down an offer to sell their brainchild to a huge corporation, Theo is found dead. Greedy companies, corrupt privatized police, and even the president herself will stop at nothing to steal the Truth App. Sam sets his sights on exposing all the lies and holding everyone accountable. 

But he and his friends quickly realize the costs of a  S-free world: the lives of loved ones, and political and economic stability. They now face a difficult question: Is the world capable of operating without lies, or are lies what hold it together?

I enjoyed Will McIntosh’s Burning Midnight, so I knew I had to request  The Future Will Be BS Free as soon as I spied it on NetGalley, especially after reading that intriguing premise. While I didn’t like it as much as the previous book, there is much to recommend about it.

First, before contemplating reading this, please bear in mind that Sam, the main character, is a sexually frustrated seventeen-year-old. He comes from a poor background, his mother is disabled, and the girl he’s in love with, (who happens to also be his best friend), doesn’t return his feelings. He does some horrible things, but given his background his actions are somewhat understandable. Throughout the book he demonstrably grows and matures and by the end of the book I actually liked him.

The story itself is credible, as are the diverse characters, both teens and adults. And, I was kept on my toes regarding how it was going to end which is always a good thing. 

Overall, The Future Will Be BS Free, is a fast-paced, and thought-provoking YA novel that successfully combines dystopian fiction with a coming-of-age story. It also scarily echoes much of what is happening in our world today. While there are some cringeworthy moments in the romantic subplot that I didn’t think was necessary, I think this would be a great choice for high school book discussion groups.

 

 

Night Fall (Secret Histories #12), by Simon R. Green ~ 5 ++++++++++ Stars!

Tags

Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

Thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now 

464 Pages

Synopsis: From the New York bestselling author of Moonbreaker comes the epic final Secret Histories adventure, where the Droods will take on the most unexpected of enemies: the inhabitants of the Nightside.

The Droods are all about control, making people do what they’re told for the greater good. The Nightside is all about choice: good and bad and everything in between. The Droods want to make the world behave. The Nightside wants to party. They were never going to get along. 

For centuries, ancient Pacts have kept the Droods out of the Nightside, but now the Droods see the Nightside as a threat to the whole world. They march into the long night, in their armour, to put it under their control. All too soon, the two sides are at war. It’s Eddie Drood and Molly Metcalf against John Taylor and Shotgun Suzie. The Drood Sarjeant-at-Arms and their Armourer against Dead Boy and Razor Eddie. More groups join in: the London Knights, the Ghost Finders, the Spawn of Frankenstein, Shadows Fall, and the Soulhunters. Science and magic are running wild, there’s blood running in the gutters, and the bodies are piling up.

Is anyone going to get out of this alive?

I have such mixed feelings about Night Fall. On the one hand (as you can probably tell by my rating), I absolutely LOVED it! On the other hand, this concludes not only the Secret Histories series, but also Simon Green’s Nightside and Ghost Finders series. So if you’re a fan of the author as I am, this is like the literary equivalent of Armageddon!

*Sniff.* Okay. I shall endeavor to pull myself together. As with the other Secret Histories books I’ve reviewed I need to warn interested parties that you need to read these books in order. If you don’t you’ll wind up helplessly confused. Eddie Drood is like a science fiction/fantasy/comic book version of James Bond. His alias is actually “Shaman Bond” and the previous titles are all clever plays on Ian Fleming’s books, ie:  The Man With the Golden Torc; Daemons Are Forever; The Spy Who Haunted Me… Well, you get the idea. While Eddie physically appears so ordinary as to melt into a crowd, you do not want to get on his bad side, especially when he’s accompanied by his former archenemy, now lover, the wild witch Molly Metcalf. Together they make a most formidable team which is a good thing as in this epic finale they face off against their Nightside counterparts, John Taylor (former private investigator, now the “Overseer” of the Nightside known as Walker) and his frightening wife, Shotgun Suzie (also known as Suzie Shooter and “Oh Christ, it’s her! Run!”) 

Without revealing any spoilers, let me just say that this is a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end. Well known characters from all three series make welcome appearances and enjoyable new ones are introduced as well. The battles between the Droods and the citizens of the Nightside are bloody and epic, and leave many fan favorites dead. Underlying the story is the theme of how war can so quickly spiral out of control and leave a multitude of casualties of good people on both sides in its wake. By the end of the book loose ends from all three series are neatly tied up, which will leave fans shell-shocked but satisfied.

While I’m upset that two of my favorite series have come to an end, Night Fall is a spectacular finale. In my humble opinion, Simon Green is one of the most brilliant science fiction/fantasy authors out there, and if you’re a fan of these genres but haven’t tried any of his books you’re missing out. I don’t know what’s next for this gifted writer, but I do know I’ll be one of the first in line waiting for it. For now, please excuse me while I grieve.

 

 

#commanderofcheese

Tags

#commanderofcheese, Humor, Kellyanne Conway, Trump

I know I already picked on Trump this week, but some things are just too good not to comment on. During an interview on CNN this morning, gaffe-prone Trump advisor, Kellyanne Conway finally told the truth about the man she admires when she made a Freudian slip and called him Commander-of-Cheese. Don’t believe me? Take a look.

Naturally the internet has melted and I thought I’d share a few of the clever memes and tweets that have popped up. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.