Faith Reads!

Books and Reviews! goodreads.com/faith-reads

[faithreads]

Hi!

Have you read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty? I think it's an interesting read (especially with the second book) and the character progressions feel really nice. Anyway, I think you'd enjoy it.

I have not! I'll definitely add it to my TBR and check it out when I get the chance - thanks for the rec! :)

[faithreads]

Manga Review: Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 28 by Tomohito Oda

★★★★★

***volume review***

Volume highlights: -Sauna trip with Komi dad!!! I did not know I needed this, and I was delighted the entire time -Summer uniform grand prix - so ridiculous and yet so entertaining! -Never expected Chap. 367, but man, do I ever feel it emotionally -You know it's always a good volume when you get more Watai and Rumiko! :) -Komi and Tadano never cease to not be wholesome and feel good - I always smile when I read their characters :) 

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Avant-Guards: Down to the Wire by Carly Usdin and Noah Hayes

★★★☆☆

The Avant-Guards' conclusion is... fine? It's not great, it's not terrible, but at the end of the day, it feels very inconsequential.

Like in the prior volume, subplots seem to overtake the main plot. There's some family and relationship drama that really detracted from the overall team story, and honestly, when looking at the drama brought, I think I'd rather have this story without Liv and Charlie? The other characters at least were more consistent in their actions than blowing up dramatically like these two.

The series overall is enjoyable as a pastime, but unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it too highly. Lots of potential that just didn't fit well into the page limits.

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Avant-Guards, Vol. 2 by Carly Usdin and Noah Hayes

★★★☆☆

While I still enjoyed this book, the second volume of The Avant-Guards unfortunately suffers from less cohesion.

Despite introducing Charlie and Olivia as a main narrating characters, we immediately branch off and start major storylines for all of the other players. And don't get me wrong - I did enjoy some of the subplots like Ashley's and Jay's. However, it feels like Usdin had too many ideas and not a big enough story to justify looking into each one. As a reader, I felt suddenly very isolated from who I thought the main characters were. If this was a longer series, the subplots would feel a bit more justified. But with just 3 collected volumes, the subplots ended up taking up more space than was necessary, and a singular clearer main plot would have been far more beneficial.

That all being said, I'm still looking forward to how things conclude in the next volume!

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Avant-Guards, Vol. 1 by Carly Usdin and Noah Hayes

★★★★☆

So much fun!

If you like Check Please!, this is definitely a great addition to your collection! The Avant-Guards are a ragtag college basketball team, and they are so darn charming! Whether they are attempting to convince new girl Charlie to join their team through a number of ridiculous plots or there are puppy adoptions in the middle of an away game, it's a sweet and fun ride throughout.

There's not a ton that happens in this volume; the team gets together, they play their first game, there's a blossoming romance... It's a good start, but just waiting for a bit more to happen. I like all the characters, but Ashley is my personal favourite so far - how am I not supposed to swoon over her?

I can't wait to see what the next volume holds!

[faithreads]

Manga Review: Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 30 by Tomohito Ito

★★★★★

***volume review***

Volume highlights: -While I like the Kawai arc resolution, it definitely had too much of a heel-face turn. If the arc had been a bit longer and extended over more plot lines, I could have gotten behind it far more. However, I did laugh so hard at Kawai's desperation to turn Komi and Tadano's relationship into a polycule - I could never have seen that one coming! -I adore the twist that Kawai's friends consider her completely clueless - it's such a good contrast to how Kawai views herself, and it's also hilariously accurate -The return of the dirty-mag hunters! This side plot gag always makes me laugh no matter how ridiculous it is -Rei is back for a bit! It's cute to see the follow-up on her plot and see how far she's come - and the stuffed animal drama is also plenty entertaining! -Wakai and Rumiko!!!! They are absolutely adorable!! Even a terrible haircut can't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying their relationship development

[faithreads]

Book Review: Crabgrass: Comic Adventures by Tauhid Bondia

★★★★☆

I love Crabgrass so much! I follow the comic as it's posted online, and I have grown incredibly fond of Miles' and Kevin's adventures. Normally, I'm not a major comic person, but there is something so refreshing about the innocent childhood goofiness this comic offers. Both boys seem like they should be so different: Miles as the straight A good kid only child and Kevin as the troublemaker one of four from a financially struggling family. However, they click so wonderfully, and I really appreciate how Tauhid Bondia both allows them to have plenty of shenanigans while also tackling important issues in between (that camping arc ending!!). While there are some longer arcs, I appreciate the collection of the one-off moments that both follow the previous set-ups and also build the world out. It's just so enjoyable! If you need a light-hearted brain break with some endearing characters, definitely check out Crabgrass! 

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

★★★★★

"What you hold onto is less important than the act of holding on itself. It’s so easy to get lost in ourselves and this world. Sometimes you need to find your way back one tiny miracle at a time."

If you thought Kevin Day was the biggest drama queen on the Exy court, you clearly have not met Jean Moreau.

Oh, this poor boy is quite the trainwreck with trauma galore. He's about 5 seconds from fully breaking apart entirely, and while he needs a hug, he's far more likely to deck you than accept any form of affection. The last thing he wants is to be sent to the bloody Sunshine Court - but it's not like he has any option.

I love this angry French man so much - it's not even funny at this point. He is having a miserable time no matter what, but now he has to deal with caring people (*the horror*) like Jeremy Knox. Jeremy, who has a cardboard dog named Barkbark von Barkenstein and will try to yoyo. Jeremy is a delight, and I'm both intrigued and scared to find out what kind of trauma he has in Book 2 because this boy clearly has something set up. For now though, I am content watching both of these losers try not to think about how attractive the other is as they learn to trust each other.

Is this review coherent? No. Should you read the The Sunshine Court? Absolutely. It will hurt you and heal you at the same time, and I think that that is all you can ask for from a mafia sports drama. God, I cannot wait to find out what the next book has in store for us (please let it be Jean and Jeremy attending ceramics classes together please).

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Spoiler-y Review!

★★★★☆

"You can't choose your parentage. But you can choose your legacy."

Warning: spoilers below the cut!

While it's not the perfect conclusion and it doesn't live up to the epic level of The House of Hades, The Blood of Olympus is still an entertaining ride to close out the Heroes of Olympus series.

I ended up enjoying Nico and Reyna's plot more than the Seven's. There is something about 3 being the perfect number for a quest, and we got a lot of great depth into both of them. The darkness in each of them complements the other so well that you just love watching them come together as trusting allies. Plus, I also love reading about Coach Hedge's shenanigans!

I must say that I'm disappointed that this story didn't retain the dark tone from The House of Hades. After embracing the grittiness of Tartarus, this book almost felt too lighthearted and easily. It falls short on emotional weight as well, especially when compared to the intensity of The Last Olympian as a series finale.

The battle with the gods felt like it was over way too quickly once the gods showed up. I just wish there was more struggle and tension to bring down the giants. However, I did enjoy the battle at Camp Half-Blood. It was far more interesting and had actual consequences and drama - it's really too bad that this wasn't the hyped up battle because it ended up being the more impactful of the two.

Another thing that bugged me was that, while I like the idea around Leo's sacrifice decision, I wish his plot endgame hadn't revolved around romance. If only he and Calypso had connected as friends understanding what it's like to be left aside as everyone else seems to be devoted elsewhere... That seems far more in-line with their character arcs and I feel like it would have been more powerful.

It's not my favourite ending, but I definitely enjoyed revising this series!

[faithreads]

Manga Review: Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 29 by Tomohito Oda

★★★★★

***volume review***

Volume highlights:

-Study camp arc! I honestly wish this one was a little longer as there is plenty of opportunities for Komi-esque shenanigans -I do like having Kawai as an antagonist. When we saw Komi get jealous and competitive before, she really didn't bring her full emotion because she loved Rumiko too much as a friend to outright get angry at her. Kawai finally brings that out of her and makes her honest about how strongly she feels for Tadano. -Likewise, Kawai is a great foil to Komi in how she knows what to say and is very vocal about things. She's beautiful, intelligent, athletic, etc. just like Komi, but she's got both a determination and a social disconnect that put her as a sharp contrast -The flashback to Tadano's "phase" had me rolling - thank god he gave that one up! -I love Icho's ridiculous hjinks as the proxy chair - this woman is an icon and makes me laugh every time -Our brief look at Komorebi's break is also so sweet and a great change of pace from the other chapters -I also adore Rumiko's brief appearance in here - really, I would adore a series just focused on her!

[faithreads]

Book Review: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

★★★★★

"Love is no game! It is no flowery softness! It is hard work. It demands everything from you- especially the truth. Only then does it yield results."

Okay, this is officially the best book of the series.

I liked that we got more individual plotlines here as opposed to the relationship-centric ones in The Mark of Athena. They are much more of Riordan's strong suit and allowed us to really connect with each character, which is important considering the sheer number. Hazel's magic-focused plot was so cool, especially in her latter use for it. And likewise, Frank coming into his own as a leader and accepting himself more as a son of Mars really worked well to develop our favourite sweetheart. I did like Piper and Leo's too, but of course, Nico's plot is one of the most notable parts of the book - god, you absolutely ache for him.

Jason also felt like he got time to shine after feeling a little shafted in the last book. His plotline about feeling caught between the two camps and feeling bad for forming preferences made me like him so much more as you really see his insecurities and weaknesses. I only wish we got to see this sooner. This plot could have been so much stronger if we could have seen Jason really shedding his Roman ways and learning to love Camp Half-Blood before he went on his quest. It just didn't have enough time to be fully fleshed out and developed the way it could have been.

Finally, I've got to talk about the best part of the plot: the Tartarus plot. Thank god Riordan did not hold back. He could have so easily tried to tame Tartarus into something more sanitized or even humourous, but he chose to let it be dark and make Percy and Annabeth face it head over. The descriptions and creatures they interact with here actually feel terrifying and understand the absolute horror of this place. But this is the place where we also get Bob and get to understand a more multi-faceted version of previous villains. Just like the gods, not all are good and not all our bad. It's the absolute highlight of the book as Percy and Annabeth are pushed to their limits in their most dangerous quest yet, and you need to experience it yourself.

Now onto finishing my series' reread: The Blood of Olympus, here I come!

[faithreads]

Graphic Novel Review: The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

★★★★★

Oh, this one hurts.

If you've read Molly Knox Ostertag's work before, you're probably expecting a decently light-hearted romp with a meaningful emotional core, like the Witch Boy trilogy or The Girl from the Sea. That probably would have been the safest route for her to take and the most appealing for her readers.

But Ostertag doesn't play it safe here - and that is to The Deep Dark's benefit.

The Deep Dark is a beautifully crafted story about guilt, self-loathing, and trauma set in the California desert. Mags is a brilliant character; she's been told that she's responsible for so long that it has consumed her life, leaving her socially isolated from her peers and taking on any burden as long as it makes someone else's life better. However, in the midst of her life's mechanical routine, Mags' childhood friend Nessa waltzes in, ready to take Mags by the hand and show her kindness that Mags isn't sure she deserves.

This book is one that needs to be experienced. I have never read a graphic novel that is so beautifully constructed. Every aspect is a masterpiece: the paneling, the spacing, the expressions, the dialogue said, the dialogue unsaid, the black and white that transitions into gorgeously chosen colour. There's a grittiness and dark tone that lingers on each page, but there is also such beauty woven within. The characters are multiple dimensional, even ones you think are there to initially be stereotypical tropes.

I have never cried at a graphic novel before, but this book gripped my heart like none before. Please seek out The Deep Dark - it will not disappoint.

[faithreads]

Short Story Review: The Black Cat by Edgar Allen Poe

★★★★☆

Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or silly action for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgement, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such?

As an intense animal lover (particularly of cats), this story gives me the absolute disgusted creeps. To see someone drive so mad and then be so haunted by their grief is bound to be a compelling story, but to add in animal cruelty makes my skin crawl. Poe really knew how to write a compelling story of guilt.

[faithreads]

Poem Review: Beowulf

★★★☆☆

Oh, Beowulf! A great hero of men!

By modern standards, Beowulf isn't the best. Besides the main heroes and kings, we don't really get to know much background on characters. It can be tedious to read about - but to listen too...

Well, that's what it was made for.

Beowulf is an old heroic epic, and therefore, it deserves to be brought to life through voice. It's heroes are larger than life, ridiculous strong and enjoying bragging about their superhuman abilities. They pummel monsters with their bare hands and enjoy great riches. It's an epic fantasy that throws realism right out the doorway.

It's not really my cup of tea, but I do appreciate what it represents. Even centuries ago, we all wanted tales of those greater than us, to know that such deeds could be accomplished and monsters slain. It was also really interesting for me to read about how the Christian scribe writing it down made such a bold point of saying that Beowulf's triumphs were from God's will or that Grendel and his monster were devilish creatures. The background of the initial epic likely being purely pagan makes you wonder what the original story actually contained more of.

While it won't be a favourite ever, Beowulf is definitely a valuable read for story-lovers wondering how human's fascination with heroes began.

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

★★★★☆

Do you really want to know where we come from?" she said. "In every century, in every country, they'll call us something different. They'll say we're ghosts, angels, demons, elemental spirits, and giving us a name doesn't help anybody. When did a name change what someone is?

The first time I walked into the young adult section of my library, I saw a book with a very distinct cover: above a baby carriage, knives, scissors, and horse shoes hang. It was grim. It was curious.

It become one of my most memorable reads, and The Replacement still has a hold on me all these years later.

I'll be completely honest: this is not a perfect book. And it definitely won't be for everyone. Some of the plot points are awkward, and the characters aren't always consistent. However, what always gets me no matter how many times I read it, is the atmosphere. Brenna Yovanoff creates such a creepy tone, creating a place that feels real as dead girls are alive-ish and children disappearing is something mourned and then ignored. No one asks questions; no one wants to ask questions. After all, questions lead to answers, and there are something that everyone in Gentry would prefer not to know.

Mackie Doyle can be a bit overdramatic, but I do feel for this guy. He lives in perpetually knowledge of his differences and how dangerous that makes his existence in the town. But despite that, he yearns for more. I feel for him as he tries to be the person his family expects him to be, and you can't help but feel bad in moments when he actively tries to defy his existence, such as him trying to enter hallowed ground because he just wants to hear his dad's sermons. Mackie's relationship with his sister is also my absolute favourite - they just love and care for each other so much.

I always love a good changeling story, and one infused with some Tam Lin-esque sacrifices makes it extra interesting. Yovanoff doesn't hold back on the eerie nature of this weird little book, and there's really its strength.

As I said, this book really isn't for everyone. But it absolutely is the one for me. And if you so happen to feel like delving into a strange story where the ugly lurks beneath the shiny façade of a seemingly normal town... this might just ensnare you.

[faithreads]

Book Review: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

★★★★☆

"Hercules, huh?" Percy frowned. "That guy was like the Starbucks of Ancient Greece. Everywhere you turn - there he is."

Now that we've got the whole gang together, plenty of fun hjinks occur - and that ending!!!

The Mark of Athena is a lot of fun - there's constant action and some great humour while the overarching plot moves along.

Some of the relationship dynamics between the Seven definitely feel a bit forced, and the Leo/Hazel/Frank dynamic comes to mind. I easily could have done without all this relationship drama and Leo and Frank antagonizing each other. After all, they are such interesting characters, but this just becomes annoying as it keeps going. Riordan tries to resolve these issues within the book to become perfect friendships, but unfortunately it rings a little false. Despite the length of the book, there's really not a lot of down time for the characters to develop and having touching moments that don't end up being sped by. It's definitely the issue of too many characters and not enough time to focus on them all, and I almost wish they didn't all have to get along. I mean, what group project have you ever been on where every single person likes each other and becomes super close friends??

That being said, I enjoyed a lot of the individual arcs. Leo is one of my favourites - he really steals his scenes with his goofiness, and you ache for his low self-esteem and constant outsider feeling among the couples of the Seven. As well, Annabeth's lonesome quest is interesting to watch. After following so many Riordan characters that have larger than life abilities to help them get by in battles, watching her rely solely on her intelligence makes her challenges that much more compelling to read about.

The villains were entertaining too. The two giants Otis and Ephialtes are the anti-Dionysus, and that means that they are there for the chaotic entertainment. These showmen are as over-the-top ridiculous as they are threatening foes, and it's fun to read about their antics.

The ending is really one of the most gut-punching moments that Riordan could have created, and I am so excited to reread the next book. I remember how excited all my friends were waiting for it to be released - and now I'm just as anxious while waiting for my hold to come in at the library.

[faithreads]

Manga Review: Penguin Revolution by Sakura Tsukuba

★★☆☆☆

**FULL SERIES REVIEW**

While Penguin Revolution begins decently strong with a plucky protagonist and an intriguing set-up, it unfortunately doesn't keep pace with expectations.

I will admit: idol-focused manga isn't really my thing. However, I do appreciate a good rom-com shoujo and cross-dressing shenanigans, so I figured this one would be some breezy fun. And it does have a good start; nothing absolutely memorable but very fun! The manga has cute designs, fun moments, and hints of romance, but it plays everything a little too straight and really can't figure out how to deliver on its promises and plot threads.

For instance, despite a big hook into the series is Yukari seeing "wings" of potential of people's backs, they never explain why or really do much with it other than have her comment on other people's. The backstory for our male main characters has a lot of potential, but it just got played up for drama without being fully fleshed out or explored. With the cross-dressing, I expected more hjinks and threats of being found out, but it seems like the author mainly forgot about this tension point. There is also a love triangle hint that is left unresolved and completely unsatisfactory, not to mention that the ending comes absolutely out of the blue and feels way too convenient.

Overall, the manga is fine, but it's nothing special and unfortunately disappointing. I probably won't revisit it.