Gotham Academy's intrepid protagonists!

Even though I'm disappointed I missed out on reviewing the new Dick Grayson series and Batgirl of Burnside volumes because of computer issues, I finally got the Adobe Digital Editions to work on my tablet and was able to download and review this new series in time for it's official release today!

Title: Gotham Academy Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy 
Author: Becky Cloonan & Brendan Fletcher
Illustrated: Karl Kerschl
Published: 2015 by DC Comics

About the Book:

"Welcome to Gotham Academy, the most prestigious school in Gotham City. Only the best and brightest students may enter its halls, study in its classrooms, explore its secret passages, summon its terrifying spirits… 

 Okay, so Gotham Academy isn’t like other schools. But Olive Silverlock isn’t like other students. After a mysterious incident over summer break, she’s back at school with a bad case of amnesia, an even worse attitude… and an unexplained fear of bats. 

Olive’s supposed to show new student Maps Mizoguchi the ropes. Problem: Maps is kid sister of Kyle, Olive’s ex. Then there’s the ghost haunting the campus…the secret society conducting bizarre rituals…and Bruce Wayne, the weirdo billionaire who funds the Academy - and may know the secret to Olive’s big mystery. 

Find out in GOTHAM ACADEMY VOL. 1, the acclaimed new series from co-writers Becky Cloonan (DEMO) and Brendan Fletcher (BATGIRL) and artist Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE)! Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY #1-6."

The Artist Librarian Review: 
This new series set in Batman's world first debuted last October.  Collecting issues #1-6, Gotham Academy Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy provides spunky heroines who tackle the supernatural mysteries around them in a way that would make Nancy Drew proud.

So if you saw my Instagram account earlier this month, you may have realized I've cut my hair ...

(c.) 2015 by Zondervan

Title: Two Renegade Realms (Realm Walkers #2) 
Author: Donita K. Paul
Published: 2015 by Zondervan

About the Book:

"From bestselling author, Donita K. Paul, the second installment in a fantasy series that follows Cantor, a Realm Walker, chosen to battle the corrupt Guild.

In Two Renegade Realms, the second installment in Donita K. Paul's Realm Walkers Series, Cantor, Bixby, and Dukmee must band together to find the storied realm walker Chomountain after a devastating attack by the corrupt Realm Walkers Guild. But what they discover while traveling turns their mission upside down: the great wizard is not as he once was, and they must now find a way to restore Chomountain before they and he can restore the Guild once more."

The Artist Librarian Review:
I've been waiting to read Two Renegade Realms since I finished and reviewed One Realm Beyond!  Three years after the events of One Realm Beyond, all of our favorite characters are reunited for an important mission.  However, the legendary Chomountain isn't what they expected and the now rogue Realm Walkers will have to work together to avert a disastrous intersection of the realms.

With the time skip comes surprises such as Cantor's growth spurt, leaving him much taller than his peers.  It leads to a lot of fun moments when he reunites with his old friends.  Bixby, the daughter of royalty, is as bubbly and petite as ever.  I spent half the book trying to figure out if the author is planning to romantically pair her with Cantor.  They have a sweet friendship right now, along with several moments that feel like they're flirting with something more.  It makes me wonder why Mrs. Paul created such a height difference between the two ... (I'm sure it's intentional).  Scholarly Dukemee and Bridger, the slightly klutzy dragon, completes the entertaining ensemble cast.  Ending on a slight cliffhanger (again), it'll be interesting to see how this trilogy close (I'm assuming the title will have a "three" in it somewhere). ;-)

As someone who has read a lot of fantasy novels, the absence of a character list/glossary and a map was very noticeable.  I think the books could really benefit from their inclusion --especially if someone is jumping in mid-series or if it's been awhile since you read the first novel (like me).

While she often incorporates fantasy-type magic, there is always a creator or God-like figure that orders her fantasy worlds.  Though listed as teen fiction, I'd recommend Donita K. Paul's books to upper elementary students and older that love clean fantasy.  Her content is practically always "all ages appropriate" (think of her as a grandmother storytelling to her grandkids).

About the Author: 

Donita K. Paul retired from teaching and took up the mantle of grandma. She loves her new career as author of stories her grandchildren devour. Winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado, enjoying friends and family, pets and beautiful scenery. Her favorite part of writing is the readers.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.]

Do you enjoy fantasy novels?  If so, what are your favorites and why?

I haven't done a Fandom Friday in awhile, so here is my first manga review written originally for my Special Topics in Librarianship: The Graphic Novel class in October 2014.  Updated since this is my new manga/anime obsession ... ;-) 

(c.) 2010 by Kondansha

Title: Attack on Titan, Vol. 1
Creator: Hajime Isayama (English translation by Sheldon Drzka, lettering by Steve Wands)
Published: 2010 (English version published 2012 by Kodansha USA Publishing).
Rating: T - Ages 16+ by the publisher.

About the Book:

In this post-apocalytpic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what's left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

The Artist Librarian Review:
When the Titans break into Shinganshina district, young Eren Yeager vows to end the Titan threat that has destroyed his home.  Five years later, with his best friends, Armin Arlert and Mikasa Ackerman, military trainee Yeager comes face-to-face with his mortal enemies.

So first let me say: Wow.

Shingeki no Kyojin, Attack on Titan's Japanese title literally translates to "Advancing Giants." My first introduction to Attack on Titan was at a pop culture convention in 2014 --there were so many Attack on Titan cosplayers! However, though I thought their uniforms and gear were cool, that alone didn't interest me enough to find out more; to read or watch it.

Now, after reading the first volume for school, I'm torn. I'm intrigued to read more even though I'm a squeamish type of girl ... The back cover review blurbs about the anime being an "action/horror story" and "Japan's equivalent of The Walking Dead" (i.e. the zombie apocalypse AMC show based on a comic book series) worried me for a moment, but the story's got a fascinating pull. Kind of like I wanted to look away but couldn't ... ;-) 

The sketchy, drawn quality of some of the art and panels was an interesting touch. Again, I haven't read a whole lot of manga, but I'm used to associating more cleaner line-work and art to manga. However, I think the roughness of those sections work for the dystopian type of world the humans live in: It's a gritty, believable world. 

And wow, that ending!  It's clear that no one is safe in this manga --anyone can die and it definitely ups the stakes. 

Update: In April, I started watching the anime reruns on Cartoon Network and I am so hooked!  The combat scenes with the 3DMG (i.e. gear that allow the military to fight like Spider-Man with swords against the Titans) are amazingly choreographed.  The English dubbing uses voice actors that I think capture the characters perfectly.  And from first hearing the incredible opening theme, I've fallen in love with the television soundtrack and score by Hiroyuki Sawano.  I don't know how to describe it ... kind of orchestral, with some rock and electronic parts ... The closest I can compare it to is Daft Punk's Tron: Legacy film score, but even that isn't an accurate comparison.  Listen to a sample for yourself here.  I've also mentally added the Survey Corps uniform on my Costuming Wish List ... which officially means that Jen has found a new fandom, LOL.

Fair warning: it's TV-14, so definitely don't let the little guys watch this show.  As with the manga, there's lots of blood depicted, since the Titans do ... eat people (though most of the actual death scenes are off-screen cut-aways, you often see the aftermath), some language (such as b-st-rd, a--hole, sh-t, etc. but they are in their world's equivalent of the military), and some intense sequences.  Unless you know the child well, I'd recommend the manga and anime to teens and up, as the published ratings suggest.  Check out the trailer below to get a feel of the series!



I'm currently working on catching up with the manga --that fascinating pull I wrote about earlier?  It's definitely the characters: As they wrestle with survivor's guilt, questions unanswered about the Titans' origins, and struggle with morality (e.g. Do the ends justify the means? Do the needs of the many outweigh the few? What does it mean to be human? etc.), like many dystopians, you may find yourself looking at the world around you in a different light. 

What do you think about Attack on Titan?  Have you ever read manga or watched anime?  Are there any you recommend?  What about dystopians?  Why do you think they are so popular right now?

(c) 2014 by Harmony Books

Title: Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success – Online and Off
Author: Michelle Phan
Published: 2014 by Harmony Books

About the Book:

"Michelle Phan has believed in makeup since the first time she was allowed to try eyeliner. When she looked in the mirror and saw a transformed version of herself looking back, she fell in love with the sense of confidence that makeup could give her. Ever since she posted her first makeup tutorial on YouTube, she has dedicated herself to inspire millions by using makeup as a tool for transformation and self expression.

Now, Michelle has compiled all of her best wisdom into Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success--Online and Off. From creating a gorgeous smoky eye to understanding contouring to developing an online persona, Michelle has advice to help you transform every facet of your life. Make Up is packed with Michelle’s trademark beauty and style tutorials, stories and pictures from her own life, and advice on the topics she is asked about most, including etiquette, career, entrepreneurship, and creativity. From the everyday (such as how to get glowing skin) to the big picture (such as how to turn your passion into a profession), Make Up is a practical and empowering resource to help anyone put their best face forward."

The Artist Librarian Review: Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success – Online and Off is beauty guru Michelle Phan’s debut book. Part memoir, part “how-to” book, part advice book: it gives an inside look into her “Cinderella story” that turned her vlogging into a successful business along with etiquette, make up, and style tips that will make you feel as if you are watching her YouTube channel!

Though I had never heard of Michelle Phan when I first picked up this book, the name was familiar to my younger teenage sister who follows several similar vloggers on YouTube. Michelle chose to cover a variety of topics in this book such as skin care, make up, hair, your first job, and online etiquette. If you want to recreate a specific look or need a more detailed tutorial, one of her YouTube videos might be a better option. But if you’re just looking for a general overview, this is a good place to start. While I don’t consider myself a tomboy, make up is something I’ve only seriously delved into during the past year, so I felt that Michelle’s book was perfect for a “newbie” like myself. Her writing style is very conversational and easy to read –like she’s talking to a friend or a younger sister.

I also enjoyed learning about Michelle’s life as well. She came across as very relatable as she shared her story of transitioning from an insecure teenager searching for her identity, to the confident young entrepreneur she is today. As a second-generation Vietnamese American, her success is definitely based on her hard work and the values her family taught her. Though coming from a secular viewpoint, Michelle seems like a very classy, tasteful lady who hasn’t forgotten her roots and I agreed with most of her beauty and fashion advice. For example, she views make up as a way to express yourself artistically and to help provide confidence in appearance, but doesn’t believe it should cover up the “real” you.

Though a wordy title, Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success – Online and Off describes the book perfectly: full of practical tips and wonderfully organized. Not to mention the high quality glossy pages and color photos of the book itself. I think teens and young adults would enjoy this book, along with anyone else interested in learning more about Michelle Phan and the world of an online beauty guru.

Note: There are a couple of photos of clothing that could be described as immodest, such as tops with deep v-necks or cutouts such the image on the book cover, but in contemporary fashion’s eye are still considered tasteful.

Do you have any favorite fashion or beauty vloggers or bloggers? Let me know in the comments!

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through bloggingforbooks.org for review purposes*