Review: Cogman's The Mortal Word-An Invisible Library Novel

Once again, I enter the world of the Invisible Library picking up where we left Irene, Vale, and Kai. Cogman spins a wonderful tale and creates a world that draws the reader in. I was excited to finally have the time to read this exciting new installment in the series. Each book has further developed the characters and provided exciting new plots and settings for them to learn and grow.

Favorite Characters

In this volume, Irene has returned to her post, alone this time, in the world of Vale as a librarian-in-residence. She has time to work on missions for the library and occasionally assist Vale in his pursuits. Cogman truly develops the independent nature of Irene focusing on her abilities as a Librarian to help save herself and possibly the worlds.

Kai, Irene’s former apprentice, and love interest, is now seen still in the same world where he just happens to also be assisting Vale. The book begins with a letter from Kai to his father explaining what has transpired in the last book, specifically his loss of ties to the Library because of an assassination (this all plays a role in the story later). Cogman demonstrates Kai’s desire to protect Irene while also pleasing his father, each aspect impacts what he is willing to do in the peace talks which are the center of the conflict. Kai is a skilled dragon, though not exactly notable as a younger son of the eldest king, he has mostly been left to his own.

Summary

Along with Vale and a host of new characters, Irene and Kai must once again set out to save a world, themselves, and the Library. The Dragons and Fae have agreed to a peace conference in a neutral world with Library mediation, however, something is afoot. A murder leads the Library to call on a special team to investigate, notably Vale a mortal who has assisted Irene before. The sides agree to allow him to seek out the murder with the help of Irene, Silver (from previous books) and Mu Dan, an independent Dragon judge-investigator. Together the team is sent to search for clues and find who has set out to destroy the peace. Of course, Kai will not be left out and has gone to his Uncle Ao Ji’s side to assist in any way he can.

This plot is only complicated when a powerful Fae is unearthed. The Blood Countess, as she is called, has a penchant for torturing and killing maidens to bathe in her blood. Both sides seem to think it auspicious to blame her for the killing and be done with the peace. But will she stay away and allow it? Irene, Vale, and Kai must figure out what is happening before too much damage take place or they are killed in the process.

Review

Cogman’s tale is exciting and action-packed. I felt connected to the characters and while excited to see the end was sad that it had to. I hope to see more from this delightful world(s). Each new story reveals more about the universe of the Invisible Library and the characters which inhabit it. The Mortal World introduced many new aspects and ends with a possibility for more. The book is well written with suspense, action, and passion. Each new twist entices the reader in for more.

Reference

Cogman. G. (2018). The mortal word. New York: ACE.

Cover image is taken of my copy of The Mortal Word by myself.

Review of Ms. Marvel: Generation Why

Kamala Khan is at it again in the second volume of Ms. Marvel. Kamala is a young new superhero from a Muslim background seeking to find her place in the world. She is a teenager discovering who she is when she suddenly comes into powers under strange circumstances (found in Ms. Marvel: No Normal, see my review here). Wilson’s writing shows a young girl trying to do her best to please everyone from family to her hero, Wolverine, in this volume.

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel from Marvel Now! The illustrations done by Alphona and Wyatt are colorful and exciting, just as you would expect from a superhero comic. Each illustrator does a wonderful job of using the basic elements of comics to draw readers into the story (for more on this see my review of Understanding Comics here). One spread which I found interesting was in #7 when Kamala (as Ms. Marvel) and Wolverine are escaping the sewer. Wyatt uses the space differently, the characters are climbing up and the word bubbles, dialogue, continue up the page to illustrate how they are moving the space. This use of movement allows the reader to feel as if they are ascending with the characters from the depths of the sewer to the rooms above.

through

Not only is the comic wonderfully illustrated it has a good story. Kamala is seen trying to discover herself and coming into her own. She must accept who she is in order to be the best possible hero, even learning that the best must accept help from others. She is illustrated needing to juggle the expectations of her family and the responsibilities (as she sees them) of her new-found powers. Each new event leads her to a new understanding of who or what she is and helps her see the value of having a team or at least support from others.

I enjoyed this graphic novel or comic and look forward to reading more of the adventures of Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel!

Reference

Wilson, G. W. (2015). Ms. Marvel: Generation why. New York: Marvel Entertainment.

Images from the comic taken by me.

Monstrous Regiment of Women Review

In Laurie R. King’s second installment of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mystery series readers see Mary come into her own. Mary, or Russell as Holmes calls her, is about to come of age and inherit her parents’ estate losing the control of her hated aunt. Holmes in this one has become strangely more protective of Russell after their last encounter with a case which ended with her being shot in the shoulder.

King’s writing in this is a bit stale, in my opinion, I had trouble getting through this one. The first two-thirds of the book deal with the strange romance between the young Russell and senior Holmes, instead of the comradery of their first adventure where we saw a mentor and his student. The story follows Mary and her exploits at a newly founded religious organization but when it comes down to the last third or less of the book the action finally kicks in. I do not typically like mysteries and would not even classify this as a true mystery book. Many of the characters come and go quickly without any development and the two characters we do know have changed drastically.

This book was a very slow read and did not grip me as the last in the series. Perhaps I am just longing to be back in my familiar fantasies or maybe I really hated the awkward new dynamic between the main characters. Many of their interactions are simply cringy, even ending in a way I do not appreciate. Can’t they just be colleagues working together? This book lacks a certain intrigue I found in the last, and I’m not sure I will continue in the series.

References

King, L. R. (1995). A monstrous regiment of women: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. New York: Picador.

Goodreads.com. (2018). A monstrous regiment of women (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #2) [Cover image]. Retrieved from 

Thanksgiving Trip to Disney

Well, looks like I missed a post last Saturday, but to be fair I was at Disneyland and not really worrying about this blog. Well, Disneyland is not what I remember it to be but it was still fun. It was decorated for Christmas and the Holidays, which did affect some of the rides. It's a Small World was decked out for the holidays in white and playing Jingle Bells, instead of its typical music. Other rides and attractions were not affected by the holidays at all, Star Tours, the Tiki Room, etc. I enjoyed my self at both parks, even seeing Frozen live at the Hyperion in Disney California Adventure Park, really the best part of being in that park in my opinion. If you liked Frozen and are able to see the show I recommend it.

Well, that's all for now, back in two weeks with my regular posts.

Avengers Infinity War Review/Summary

Well, I might be the last person to see this movie and review it but better late than never. This post will barely be on time, my own personal schedule for this blog but it will be up. I actually was surprised at how well I avoided spoilers and even what I had heard turned out to be wrong or misunderstood.

Infinity War is the second to last movie in the Avengers, at least for now, and finds the heroes still at odd after Captain America Civil War. [Should I say there will be spoilers or has enough time passed?] Each of the Avengers has followed their own path, some were seen in other movies (sadly which I had not seen). Now I actually realized that I need to watch other movies in the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe]. Not only does it pick up what appears to be immediately after Thor Ragnarok but also includes Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and the Gradians of the Galaxy (all movies I had not watched).

The movie tells the story of how Thanos is trying to “save” the universe by destroying half of all living beings. This villain will once again unite the Avengers, for the most part, in an alliance with many of the Marvel heroes in an attempt to save the world. This movie does not develop characters but continues on from each movie preceding it to create conflict, climax, and resolution. Character development is not the point of this installment in the MCU, with each character coming in preestablished and acting accordingly. Predictably Ironman and Captain America are leaders, with others following them. Thor acts to save and avenge his people, while Spider-man idolizes and follows Ironman (even when told to return home). Each has a role and completes it as expected. That is except Bruce Banner/Hulk (at least without having seen Thor Ragnarok) it seems that unexpectedly Bruce can no longer summon/turn into Hulk leaving the team in a lurch more than once, even seemingly costing them battles. Overall, the movie is great, I recommend seeing it if you haven’t. I enjoyed the story and wished for more, which is coming. Many questions remain hopefully to be answered in the next Avengers.

References

IMDB.com. (2018). Avengers: Infinity War (2018) [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154756/

Marvel Entertainment. (Mar 16, 2018). Marvel Studios’ Avengers; Infinity War-Offical Trailer [YouTube video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwievZ1Tx-8

Marvel Studios. (2018). Avengers: Infinity War [DVD].

The Snowy Nap

I work at my local library helping to order children’s books and was excited when this book came across my desk. Brett again presents a wonderful story encased in beautiful images of her life, home, and travels.

The Snowy Nap Summary/Review

The Snowy Nap once again presents Hedgy, an adorable hedgehog based on Brett’s own pet, in a fun story based on what a hedgehog might think about hibernating and missing all the fun of winter. In this book Hedgy desires to see winter after speaking with each of the animals on the farm near his burrow. Every page presents a new exciting element of winter which little Hedgy will miss because of his long winter’s nap. The book makes one feel sorry for him. Brett’s artful storytelling and illustrations will delight readers of all ages.

I enjoyed reading the story and seeing the joy the little hedgehog had in seeing his first winter, even if he only saw the first snow, snowman, and ice on the pond, before taking his snowy nap. The main story told in the large center panels is delightful and each side panel describes the story of others on the farm, such as sheep, geese, and the little girl. I can’t wait to read the book again and find each hidden element in the side panels and details of the book.

Previous Author/Illustrator Study

I have previously done an author study on Jan Brett during my MLIS degree at SJSU and have posted it here as a blog alongside illustrator Robert Sabuda. If you would like to see what I think of her other work go and read it there.

References

Brett, J. (2018). The snowy nap. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Goodreads.com. (2018). The snowy nap by Jan Brett [Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38255167-the-snowy-nap 

Janbrett.com. (2018). The snowy nap. Retrieved from http://www.janbrett.com/bookstores/the_snowy_nap_book.htm

Thoughts on Fahrenheit 451 Audiobook (2005)

Recently I have found it difficult to read but found myself with four hours, give or take 20-minutes, of time in a car by myself to commute to my new position. I figured why not try this audiobook thing. I have been trying to complete the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge and this is a classic of Genre Fiction I had not read. However, listening to it I have quickly and successfully (finally) read a classic without being bored of it.

This classic tells the cost of complete censorship. As Bradbury (2005) notes in the Afterword, so read by Christopher Hurt, the Narrator, he explains how this book is a commentary on how picky people are over books. What a fitting book to read during #BannedBooksWeek (however by the time this is posted that will have been weeks ago). The story is quick paced and told from the perspective of Fireman Guy Montag, who is disillusioned with the world he lives in. Montag realizes something is wrong after meeting Clarisse, a teen neighbor, who sees the world differently. After this chance early morning meeting all the events are set in motion, leading Guy on a journey he had never considered. Bradbury’s text shares what happens when you open your eyes and see the world in a new way but beware of the path knowledge may lead you on.

Bradbury’s story is timeless and fitting to our time of easily hurt feeling where everyone has an opinion but if you voice it too loudly your will be shot down by one group or another. The afterword of this edition of the book was great and connected the text to today in an elegant way. The story tells what can happen when people give up thinking for themselves and only focus on being politically correct and not hurting the feelings of groups which voice opinions the loudest. Books are a tool, as noted by Faber (a retired English professor in the text), to contain knowledge and ideas for people to remember. The wandering intellectuals try to preserve the world’s knowledge even as it destroys itself through pointless nuclear war. The age in which this is set could just as easily be today as it could be the past (Cold War Era) or some time in the not too distant future. We all should take warning from Montag, Beatty, Faber, and the rest. Look around, do you know everyone or are they simply there passing by an unknown like in the tale where people come and go a swiftly as the wind in a gust then gone.

So, this has become less about the text and more about my view of the world. This book makes one think about what would happen in a world without books. What would I do, after all my job is books?!?!

Reference

Bradbury, R. (2005). Fahrenheit 451 [Electronic resource]. Blackstone Audiobooks. Retrieved from Shasta Public Libraries using Overdrive/Libby.

Goodreads.com. (2018). Fahrenheit 451 [Cover image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16639257-fahrenheit-451