Spencer's Bookcase

Monthly Wrap-Up: July 2023

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Monthly Wrap-Up where I give updates on my reading and other things I’m up to in the past month. So let’s get to it!

Total Books Read: 4

The Gathering Storm by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan

This was the best book I read this month. Hands down. This book was great and Brandon did a great job writing this book. Rand and Egwene’s character arcs in this book is amazing, and honestly this book has convinced me that Rand is my personal favourite Fantasy Main Protagonist ever.

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

This book was a disappointment for me, and I think this is the book that has convinced me that Terry Fallis’s writing just isn’t for me.

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

Bad Cree was an interesting read for sure. I love the premise, our main protagonist, and the book can be scary when it really wants to. It ended up being a decent debut novel.

Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Harley Destroys the Universe by Sean Humphries, John Timms

I really love how fun and off the wall this book was. I can’t really say too much about it except that it was a fun ride.

Currently Reading:

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Yep, I’m reading the book that started it all for the Cosmere Universe, it’s Brandon Sanderson’s debut novel: Elantris. I’m only in about 75 pages into it, so far it’s off to an intriguing start.

What I’ve been doing and watching:

July has been a pretty busy month at work. However due to me being on summer hours I’ve been able to do a lot more. I’ve been going to parks more just exploring and being more outside. I also got to meet a friend that I haven’t met in person since the Pandemic.

Besides that I’ve been playing a lot of Commander’s Leagues testing out the many new decks that I’ve been building since the Pandemic. I haven’t been winning a lot but I am having fun.

I’m still enjoying my Tabaxi Thief character that I’m playing in Dungeons & Dragons. I’ve also been enjoying my Warlock in the other D&D Campaign I’m doing.

Plans for Next Month:

I am going on vacation for this week. So by the time this is posted I have already headed out for my vacation.

I’m going to visit green spaces to better enjoy the warm weather. I’m planning on being on Summer Hours so my weekends can be longer.

In Magic the Gathering, I intend to play some more EDH at Commander Leagues. In terms of building decks I’m looking at building around Tom Bombadil as my next deck. I like Bards, and Tom Bombadil being a God Bard is just way too tempting for me to ignore.

As for reading I intend to keep on reading the books that I posted in my Summerstack post earlier this month.

This month I am looking forward to ending the Island campaign where our party is stuck in a time loop and we have to save the Island. While I am looking forward to see where we go next with the Ravnica campaign (there are Eldrazi on Ravnica???!!!).

See you all next time!

Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Harley Destroys the Universe

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol.2: Harley Destroys the Universe

Author: Sean Humphries, John Timms

Genre: Superheroes

Pages: 160 pages

Synopsis:

A new era of Harley continues here, with writer Sam Humphries! While reading a mysterious Harley Quinn comic book, H.Q. accidentally breaks all of reality. And you know the saying: if you break it, you bought it!

Now it’s up to Harley to travel through both time and space to fix all the continuity errors she created. Luckily, she’ll have a little help, ‘cuz riding shotgun is none other than special guest star Jonni DC, Continuity Cop! Good thing, too, because if Harley fails, it means her own mom will be lost forever. Gulp! That doesn’t sound very funny!

This new era for the DCU’s craziest antihero continues here in Harley Quinn Vol. 2. Collects issues #50-54 and #56.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

So I had a difficult week this week, and after reading Bad Cree. I decided I needed to read something very fun and I found it in Harley Quinn, Vol.2: Harley Destroys the Universe. And I truly had a blast reading this! It’s almost exactly how it sounds: Harley Quinn picks up a comic book about herself and accidentally destroys the entire DC Continuity, and if she doesn’t fix it reality itself would be destroyed. She of course saves reality, but there is lingering after effects.

I truly love how fun and off the wall this book was. Especially when the DC continuity was destroyed. It was definitely wild. Honestly this book only convinces me even more that Harley Quinn is truly one of the best DC Characters out there. She is such a fun character to follow.

I also appreciate the smaller moments in this book. I really like the dynamic Harley Quinn has with her mom. And I also found the ending of the first issue, where Harley Quinn has to write a comic in order to save the DC Continuity, she dedicates it to her mom and what her mom means to her. And I just found that very heartwarming. I also like how one of Harley Quinn’s friends Tina got a little more confident in herself as she literally helped save Coney Island from falling into a whirlpool.

If I did had one issue with this graphic novel is that the last issue had almost nothing to do with the story. It kind of felt episodic compared to the rest of this book.

I came into this looking for a fun and good time, and I certainly got it through this. This was a fun graphic novel to read. If you are looking for a fun graphic novel to read, I definitely would recommend this.

Rating:

Bad Cree

Title: Bad Cree

Author: Jessica Johns

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Pages: 297 pages

Synopsis:

In this gripping debut tinged with supernatural horror, a young Cree woman’s dreams lead her on a perilous journey of self-discovery that ultimately forces her to confront the toll of a legacy of violence on her family, her community and the land they call home.

When Mackenzie wakes up with a severed crow’s head in her hands, she panics. Only moments earlier she had been fending off masses of birds in a snow-covered forest. In bed, when she blinks, the head disappears.

Night after night, Mackenzie’s dreams return her to a memory from before her sister Sabrina’s untimely death: a weekend at the family’s lakefront campsite, long obscured by a fog of guilt. But when the waking world starts closing in, too–a murder of crows stalks her every move around the city, she wakes up from a dream of drowning throwing up water, and gets threatening text messages from someone claiming to be Sabrina–Mackenzie knows this is more than she can handle alone.

Traveling north to her rural hometown in Alberta, she finds her family still steeped in the same grief that she ran away to Vancouver to escape. They welcome her back, but their shaky reunion only seems to intensify her dreams–and make them more dangerous.

What really happened that night at the lake, and what did it have to do with Sabrina’s death? Only a bad Cree would put their family at risk, but what if whatever has been calling Mackenzie home was already inside?

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

Bad Cree is a Horror novel about Mackenzie, who is Cree, who is trying to live a normal life in Vancouver until she has been getting very weird dreams involving the death of her sister. The dreams are terrifying and she is learning that she can bring things from her dreams to the real world. And she is looking to survive and end these weird dreams.

There is quite a few things I like about Bad Cree (this is a 2023 release btw). I first off like the premise of having weird dreams where you bring something from the dream to the real world. That right there is a cool premise. Our main character of Mackenzie is a character that I found relatable, especially as she is still trying to find her place in the world. And when the book does decide to be scary it can be scary.

Another thing I do like is the family dynamic. The family dynamic was fun and it was interesting see how Mackenzie bounces off her family, and seeing the family relationships. Also Joli is a great friend to Mackenzie. Also it’s cool Joli brings Queer Indigenous representation to this book.

The book also does cover themes such as Grief and Loss, and Colonialism (the whole monster came out of greed as a result of the extraction of Oil in the area where the family lives) was handled pretty well.

Now I do have some criticism of this novel. And that is the pacing. The first half of the novel was really interesting and well paced as I kept flipping the pages just trying to figure out what the hell is going to our main protagonist. However it feels after our protagonist returns home the pacing of the novel slows down quite a bit. I also kind of felt the climax ended a little too quickly for my liking.

Speaking of themes, an issue I sort of had was trying to figure out what kind of themes this author was trying to tell us at first. At first, I almost thought the author was trying to raise the issue of murdered Indigenous Women. I am a person who really likes it when Horror is used to explore social issues. As right now here in Canada, missing and murdered Indigenous Women is a very hot issue as part of our ongoing conversations about Reconciliation. However that turned out to not be the case when the nature of Mackenzie’s sister’s death was revealed to us.

Also why did they cut Joli from most of the book? I liked the character! Another question: Is why didn’t Mackenzie take more advantage of her ability to take things from the dream to the real world? I think it could have been fun having Mackenzie explore more of her abilities.

Overall, for a debut novel Bad Cree is a decent Horror read. It has a good main protagonist, interesting family dynamic and the Horror and Supernatural elements make this book, a book you might want to give a read.

Rating:

The Best Laid Plans

Title: The Best Laid Plans

Author: Terry Fallis

Genre: Comedy, Politics

Pages: 314 Pages

Synopsis:

A burnt-out political aide quits just before an election — but is forced to run a hopeless campaign on the way out. He makes a deal with a crusty old Scot, Angus McLintock — an engineering professor who will do anything, anything, to avoid teaching English to engineers — to let his name stand in the election. No need to campaign, certain to lose – or is he?

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis is a book all about Canadian Politics, and revolves around Daniel Addison and Angus McLintock. Daniel Addison is a political aide for the Liberal Party who is trying to leave politics and he recruits Angus to be the Liberal candidate in the most safe seat for the Conservative Party. Daniel’s hope is for the Conservatives to win the riding so he can finally be done with politics. But Angus ends up winning the election and Daniel has to assist Angus navigate the world of Canadian Politics.

The first thing that I like about this book is it’s uniqueness about focusing on Canadian Politics. As when it comes to Fiction as far as I am aware, Canadian Politics rarely makes it to Fiction here in Canada. So this does help give the book a unique identity. I also like how Canadian this book is.

I also found Angus McLintock a fun character to follow.

The book was a very easy read for me. I also found the book very accessible book.

However, I think this is the novel that has convinced me that Terry Fallis’s writing style just isn’t for me. I still find his foreshadowing way too obvious for me. And a lot of the jokes didn’t land for me.

Another thing that I am noticing with Terry Fallis’s books is that his characters seem very one-dimensional. Some of the characters like the American Businessman that appears for example just fit the stereotype of the evil businessman, and that’s all there was for this character. The characters don’t always seem to act or talk like real people and have no clear motives. Speaking of characters, our main character Daniel Addison feels like a carbon copy of the main character from Poles Apart (another Terry Fallis book). He’s practically the same character: He’s a good writer, a Feminist and a Liberal.

Also the romance in this book was completely pointless. You can cut the whole Romance Subplot and it wouldn’t change the plot at all. Not to mention it just sort of exists and it didn’t even need to be in this story.

I also feel like this book, given how Partisan this book can be (this book portrays the Liberals as the good guys, and everyone else are the bad guys), if you are into Canadian Politics this book can definitely alienate you depending on what your political beliefs are. And if you aren’t into Canadian Politics, than this may not be the book for you.

Overall, despite the uniqueness of this book for focusing on Canadian Politics and how Canadian this book is, this is the book that has convinced me that Terry Fallis’s writing just isn’t for me. If you are looking for a Canadian Comedy Book, I think it’s best that you look elsewhere.

Rating:

The Gathering Storm

Title: The Gathering Storm

Author: Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Wheel of Time #12

Pages: 766 pages

Synopsis:

Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward–wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders–his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower–and possibly the world itself.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

The Gathering Storm is the twelfth book in The Wheel of Time series and is the first book with Brandon Sanderson at the helm. This book mostly focuses on Rand and Egewene. Rand is trying to restore order to Arad Doman, make peace with the Seanchan and trying to go after the Forsaken Graendal. Meanwhile Egwene is trying to unite the White Tower and bring down Elaida, and we see her lead the White Tower against the Seanchan raid. We do though get a nice subplot with Mat and his army (more on that later).

I want to talk about Rand first. Honestly after reading this book, Rand Al’Thor is now my personal favourite Fantasy main protagonist ever (Bold opinion but I think he maybe the best Fantasy main protagonist ever! Fight me!). He has had the most interesting character arc and the most interesting story. Just his entire character transformation from being a bland scared kid in the early books to where he is now is amazing. His story in this book is great. We first see him struggle with his own humanity as he is becoming emotionless, numb to pain and is shutting people out from his life, then we see him trying to open himself up to Min, and then chapter 22 happened. Chapter 22 in this book is probably the most intense chapter in this whole series. After that chapter he becomes what I am calling: “Darth Rand”. Where he is stone cold and emotionless and ruthless. And we see him dropping to new lows until he realizes that the whole reason to save the world is because of love, joy and hope. And that he needs to fight because he did something wrong and he is living again to fix it. He wants to do it right this time. Which brings the humanity back to him. It’s all a very well handled and great character arc.

Egwene also had a great story. Despite Elaida keep punishing her and trying to bring Egwene down to new lows, and Egwene refused to let Elaida break her. Showing just how strong she is and what she learned from the Aiel. And her defense of the White Tower against the Seanchan (the whole fight) was amazing. By the end of this book, she really convinced that she is the true Amyrlin. Honestly since book eight, Egwene’s character arc from being a young Amyrlin to being a master politician to being the embodiment of all the Ajahs is also really good. She still is one of my favourite characters but I still appreciate how she’s changed over this series.

While Mat’s story felt more like a subplot, the whole part around the village of Hinderstap, a village where at night the whole town loses their minds and fights and kills one another. And when it’s morning the whole town just “resets”, and everybody wakes up in their beds. And this repeats every single day. Just the whole concept of this is terrifying and the chapter where they showed this was scary.

As for the worldbuilding, we get to see a bit more of Dragonmount near the end. We also get to see another new city: Bandar Eban. As I mentioned earlier, Hinderstap is a village stuck in a loop caused by the Dark One.

I also want to talk about Semirhage. Semirhage may actually be the most competent member of the Forsaken. In Knife of Dreams and this book she accomplishes the following: 1) Cause the Seanchan to suffer heavy losses. 2) Caused a civil war with the Seanchan. 3) Exposed Rand’s secret to everyone and causes Rand’s supporters to doubt him. And she cut off Rand’s hand. 4) Almost succeeds in kidnapping Rand. 5) She breaks Rand!

Moridin/Ishamael is also becoming an interesting villain and his link with Rand is definitely interesting.

I also welcome the faster pace of this novel and the story is definitely progressing and storylines are actually getting resolved.

Now I do have some criticism with this novel. While I do think the chapter where Verin reveals she is Black Ajah and reveals the secrets of the Black Ajah is one of the best chapters in this book. I do have one nitpick though, the whole oath she took swears her to secrecy until “the hour of her death”, that to me kind of feels a little plot convenient. As she just poisons herself, but is alive just long enough to spill the beans to Egwene.

The second issue I have with this book is what was the point of really having Perrin in this story? Perrin is only traveling and complains about how he’s “not a leader” for what feels like the millionth time. And doesn’t really do much in this book. Perrin is a bit frustrating to read in the past few books, and it’s kind of sad considering in the earlier books he had arguably the best character arc. Also there seems to be no consequences to the assassination of prophet, Masama from Faile in the Prologue. And doesn’t seem to really be touched upon for the rest of the novel.

Also, Mat kind of feels a little off. I still had fun with his chapters but it felt like Mat sort of regressed to what he was like in the first two books of this series.

It also feels weird how Elayne isn’t even in this novel. Elayne is one of the most important characters and she isn’t even in this story. How is she handling being Queen? How is she going to fulfill her side of the bargain with the Sea Folk? Is she working to unite Andor?

Overall, The Gathering Storm is a great novel and I think it’s going to be in my top 5 favourites in this series. The pacing is so much better and it feels like this series has new life to it. The character arcs for both Rand and Egwene is amazing. The more I think about it, this series is actually with good with character growth/arcs. Brandon Sanderson did an amazing job with this book, he kept the world feeling like Robert Jordan’s world, and the characters feel the same (with the notable exception of Mat), and he definitely succeeds in keeping things progressing and interesting. I look forward to reading Towers of Midnight.

Rating:

My The Wheel of Time Reviews:

The Wheel of Time (1999 Game)

Crossroads of Twilight

New Spring

Knife of Dreams

Summer Stack 2023

Books Featured:

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

These books are my priority reading this summer. If I can read more of this than all the better!

Currently Reading:

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson – 48%

So I just recently finished Chapter 22, and oh boy that chapter was intense. I think that was probably the most intense chapter I’ve read so far in this series. Rand has now become what I’m calling Darth Rand, where he is at his least human (he’s been slowly losing his humanity in the past few books) in this entire series. And Rand now even has a dark halo around him. Rand’s whole character arc in this series continues to be amazing and I am interested in where they go with this from here.

Monthly Wrap-Up: June 2023

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Monthly Wrap-Up where I give updates on my reading and other things I’m up to in the past month. So let’s get to it!

Total Books Read: 6

This month was a very good month for me in terms of reading, I was able to read six books this month and about over 2,300 pages this month. Alrighty let’s get to it!

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

This is probably the most bittersweet book I read this month. On one hand it was a really good book that felt like a return to form for this series. On the other hand it’s Robert Jordan’s last book. Still a lot of scenes stood out to me, and the series feels like it’s progressing again.

The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

I’m having fun with Mistborn Era 2. I love the party dynamic and Wayne is now on my list of all-time favourite Fantasy characters.

Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson

This was a fun short novel that shows that Mistborn series can still go in different directions and brought back a great character. This book made me realize how much I missed Kelsier’s character and we finally get some lore of the Cosmere. And the scene where Kelsier gets reunited with Vin had me in tears.

The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 4: Hunted

I liked this story. This was the first graphic novel I read so far this year to actually be coherent, and I had a fun time reading it.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I liked this book, this was a great retelling of The Illad. This definitely is a great Fantasy Romance with great LGBTQ+ representation, with even a few good fight scenes. I also love Greek Mythology and I’m glad that we are seeing Greek Mythology return to fiction again.

Batman, Vol.2 The Joker War by James Tynion IV, Jorge Jimenez (Illustrator), Guillem March (Illustrator)

This is an absurd story but I still like it. This is definitely a story where you should turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.

Currently Reading:

The Gathering Storm by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan

I’m just about 120 pages into this book and honestly Brandon Sanderson is off to a great start. The characters still feel like the characters and I like how the pace is a little faster even. So far so good (it helps that I am familiar to Brandon Sanderson’s writing).

What I’ve been doing and watching:

This month’s been pretty active for me. I went to my cousin’s wedding earlier this month and it was great!

I attended a Magic the Gathering Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle Earth Pre-Release earlier this month. It was my first Pre-Release I attended since 2019. When it comes to Limited, I either do very well or I do terrible. There is no in-between for me. And…. unfortunately I didn’t do well. But that’s okay I had super fun and it was fun just opening up those booster packs and experiencing this set. I think this is one of my personal favourite Magic the Gathering sets in a while (stay tuned on my other website Mtgtheory for all the new decks I’m brewing out of this set. I’m still working on it but I am excited to make a few EDH decks because of this set).

This month I also started playing a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign, playing a Tabaxi thief. Our party is stuck in a time loop on an Island and our party has to figure out how to break the time loop and save the Island while doing so!

Besides all of that enjoying the weather. As I am writing this I am on my first break of the year and I am enjoying the good weather and the freedom I have right now.

Plans for Next Month:

I have quite a few plans for the next month. I’m going to visit green spaces to better enjoy the warm weather. I’m planning on being on Summer Hours so my weekends can be longer.

I’m planning the final details of my upcoming vacation at the end of next month! I am so excited to finally be having a vacation in so long!

In Magic the Gathering, finishing my Sauron EDH Deck and Sam and Frodo EDH Deck are top priorities. I hope to play some more EDH as well.

I plan to continue the current D&D campaign I’m in. I’m also looking forward to the Ravnica campaign I’m doing. I’m playing a Half-Elf Drow Fiend Warlock. He tried to become a Wizard but he couldn’t afford the education to become one so he decided to f**k it and become a Warlock instead.

As for reading, I’m planning on reading a few Cosmere novels that are not Mistborn before I read The Lost Metal (which is the final Mistborn Era 2 novel) since I’ve been told that book is a bit of a Cosmere crossover. I’m also planning on reading another Horror novel this month as I feel like it’s been a while since I last read a Horror novel.

I hope to also spend time with friends as we are in the summer months now! See you all next time!

Batman, Vol. 2: The Joker War

Title: Batman, Vol.2: The Joker War

Author: James Tynion IV, Jorge Jimenez (Illustrator), Guillem March (Illustrator)

Genre: Superhero

Pages: 176 pages

Synopsis:

This is it: The Clown Prince of Crime battles the Dark Knight Detective head-to-head for the last time. And one way or another, this will be the final chapter of their age-long conflict.

The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight Detective go head-to-head for the last time. The Joker has never wanted to win before, he’s never wanted his battle with Batman to end, but now his motivation has shifted. As The Joker’s plan to assemble an army materializes, the only person who can save Batman from the brink of true madness is Harley Quinn. And while all this is happening, the villains of Gotham City are waiting out the carnage Joker has unleashed–and Catwoman assembles an army of her own!

Collects Batman #95-100.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

Growing up Batman was one of my favourite superheroes, I grew up reading his comic books and even watched a few Batman the Animated Series episodes even. However in recent years my opinion of Batman has dropped a bit (like: Why doesn’t Bruce Wayne use his money to actually make life better in Gotham City rather than dress as a Bat and fight criminals?). However if there is one thing I keep coming back to for Batman: It’s his rivalry with the Joker. The Batman and Joker rivalry is probably my favourite superhero rivalry in all comic books.

This story is simple: Joker somehow takes over Bruce Wayne’s company, becomes a billionaire overnight and is now using all Batman’s technology against him. Oh and Joker is also using Bruce’s wealth to cause havoc all across Gotham City.

This story isn’t too special. I mean Joker’s back to his usual antics and of course Batman has to stop him. And I’m just fine with that. I always like Batman vs Joker.

The only real scene that stood out to me in this book was Bruce Wayne finally coming to terms with the death of his butler Alfred. It was definitely a heartwarming scene.

I also like the role Harley Quinn played in this being the voice of reason to Batman. Asking Batman the hard questions such as: When is this going to end? What will it take for you to realize killing the Joker is the only way to stop him? Also this is the first storyline I’ve read involving the character of Punchline, and I kind of like this character. I’m down to read more involving her character.

My only issue is that the story is just absurd. Like how the hell did Joker took over Wayne Enterprises and practically buys City Hall? And only one person (the Clownhunter), only one person in Gotham City stands up to all the madness in Gotham City? And it’s kind of the same formula, we’ve come to expect in recent years: Joker does something bad, Batman has to figure out how to stop it, Batman has to fight Joker and it’s supposed to be their “final fight”, only to reveal that Joker somehow escapes alive in the end.

Overall, despite this story’s flaws I still had a fun time reading this. Honestly just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.

Rating:

The Song of Achilles

Title: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction

Pages: 408 pages

Synopsis:

Achilles, “the best of all the Greeks,” son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods’ wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

Last year, I read Circe by Madeline Miller a book about Greek Mythology that was just an okay novel. I learned there was another Greek Mythology book by Madeline Miller and I decided to give this book a try. So The Song of Achilles is about the relationship between Patroclus and Greek hero Achilles from their childhood to the Trojan War.

Honestly the best thing about this book is Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship. These two lovers story was the best thing about this book. I like Achilles because of his righteousness, confidence and intelligence. I like Patroclus who kept Achilles grounded in reality while still being faithful to Achilles. I also really enjoyed Patroclus’s character growth from being a quiet character to being a more confident and more talkative person, and how Achilles helped him open up more. The romance between these two is some of the best romance I’ve seen.

There’s also an interesting cast of supporting characters such as: Briseis, the trickster Odysseus, Achilles father Peleus.

I am a person who likes Greek Mythology and I liked how Greek Mythology was used throughout this story.

Also the climax of the fight between Patroclus and Hector, and Hector and Achilles was really well done.

Now I do have some criticism, the first half of the book can be slower paced but I think I’m okay with this as the first half really focuses on Patroclus and Achilles relationship. And it takes about just half-way when the Trojan War actually begins.

Spoilers!!!

My other criticism is the ending does feel a little drawn out, as I kind of believe the book should have ended shortly after Achilles and Patroclus death. And I kind of felt like the story went on just a little too long after both of these characters death. I do like the ending because Achilles and Patroculus do reunite in death.

Spoilers end here

Overall, this was one of the best Romantic Fantasy novels I read. I also really love the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. I honestly liked this book more than Circe. If you like Greek Mythology and/or want to read a good romance with good LGBTQ+ representation this is definitely a read that should be on your radar.

Rating:

The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 4: Hunted

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol.4. Hunted

Author: Nick Spencer

Genre: Superheroes

Pages: 304 Pages

Synopsis:

When Kraven returns, Spider-Man becomes the hunted! Sergei Kravinoff and his minions have been kidnapping animal-themed superhumans for months, and they need one more to complete the collection: the Spider. But what does Kraven want with all of them?! In Central Park, the prey is let loose, and the hunt begins – but Kraven isn’t the one in pursuit. Who has Spidey in their crosshairs? The Lizard has a target on his back, too – but he has a truly terrifying plan of his own! Peter Parker will find himself in a horrible situation, but there are lives – innocent and otherwise – at stake, and…well…he’s Spider-Man. When it comes to the big showdown, you have no idea how this one will go down!

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:

The Hunted is a Spider-Man story where Kraven gathers all supers (good or evil) who are animal themed trap them in Central Park and have hunters hunt them all down. All organized with help by Arcade! And Kraven the Hunter wants the ultimate prize: Spider-Man!

I like how rather than Kraven just fights Spider-Man for the 100th time, he just gets all the animal powered characters, trap them, put a bunch of hunters to hunt them down and then basically have the Hunger Games be played out. To make the stakes higher for Spider-Man, the Lizard’s son Billy gets kidnapped by one of Kraven’s Mercenaries. And Spider-Man is sick during this story.

I liked the art throughout this as well. I also like how we do get inside the head of some of the characters: Kraven, Black Cat, Lizard, The Vulture etc. Also I think this is the best use of the character, Arcade that I’ve seen in a while. His whole creation of making Central Park into the Hunger Games helped made this a fun story.

I hadn’t read the more recent The Lizard storylines, but I felt like the reveal of The Lizard’s son near the end just kind of came out of left field for me. I felt like there could have been better foreshadowing there.

More of a nitpick here but where did Kraven get so many of Spider-Man’s black suits? And how did he keep putting them on Spider-Man without him noticing when he was unconscious?

Overall, I liked this story. It’s definitely a spiritual successor to Kraven’s Last Hunt, and I had a lot of fun reading this story. Out of the graphic novels I read this year, there is only one continuous story in this. Which to me is great because it didn’t feel disjointed at all. If you like a good Spider-Man story, I definitely think Hunted is worth taking a read.

Rating: