The Novel Hermit

daydreaming about books

Reviews

(ARC) REVIEW • Cons of the Afflicted (Iron Cast by Destiny Soria)

Comments : 2

iron-cast

[note note_color=”#7e5d44″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Iron Cast by Destiny Soria • October 11, 2016 • Amulet Books (Harry N. Abrams)
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Indigo | Library

It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths—whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art—captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite. When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.[/note]

myreview

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]I received this book for free from Amulet Books for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.[/note]

First sentence: “Corinne’s first day as a nurse at the Haversham Asylum for Afflictons of the Blood was a frosty Thursday.”

Welcome to the Cast Iron club! It’s 1919 Boston, and it’s not Prohibition these young people are worried about. With this loyal crew of thieves behind your back, you don’t have to worry about the danger that lurks in the shadow—at least not too much.

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Discussion

TOO MUCH TBR · November 2016

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too mch tbr november

Uhhhh, November. My “catch up to all the books I didn’t read in October” month. Can you hear the loud sigh coming out of me? I didn’t mean for my TBR to run away from me, but it did.

For those who do not know, Too Much TBR is a way to help me see which books I really need to read and tackle them. Is it effective? Perhaps. It helps a lot seeing a visual of the books on my TBR pile.

Let’s discuss what I read last month, and what I’m reading this month!

BACK IN OCTOBER

Uhhh, my life wasn’t kind to my books or my reading abilities in October. I spent majority of the month in a reading slump because stress refused to let me focus on reading. It felt quite weird to not be reading; it sucked. From the eleven books I wanted to read last month, I’ve finished four of them, and started on three of them.

The four I finished were: Gertie’s Leap to Greatness, Demon Vol. 1, Tetris: The Games People Play, and Iron Cast. They were all wonderful! Highly recommend all of them.

The three I started were: This Adventure Ends, Rebel Genius, and The Infinity Years of Avalon James.

I never got around to reading Crooked Kingdom, Foxheart, or Finding Perfect. I’m saving A Monster Calls for closer to when the film comes out.

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Discussion

CURRENTLY READING • Iron Cast, This Adventure Ends, & Rebel Genius

Comments : 3

I haven’t been great at keeping with my TBR books this past month. (Blame that on all the stress! Ack.) Currently Reading will act as my check-in, letting you guys know what I’m forever reading at the moment, and what I’m enjoying about it. Today, I’m sharing with you three books I’m juggling/reading

Iron Cast by Destiny Soria

iron-cast

SYNOPSIS
It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths—whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art—captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite. When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.

Why did I want to read Iron Cast? This book has things I love reading about: Prohibition era, magic, and cons! I’m excited to see what kind of things Corinne and Ada finds out about the world they’re in.

What do I like about it so far? The friendship! I am livinnnnnnng for Ada and Corinne’s friendship. This is what I love seeing in books—friends supporting and having each other’s back despite arguments and danger. When I started reading Iron Cast, I was surprised (and pleased) about these characters and the Cast Iron people; it was totally unexpected and I needed to learn more.

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Comics

October 2016 Graphic Novel Releases To Look Out For

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from panel to panel

I love comics and graphic novels, so what do I do with that love? Well, I turn it into a new feature!

From Panel to Panel is a new feature where I talk about the awesome (and perhaps not-so awesome) comic books and graphic novels I’ve read. Basically, this will be me pushing them onto your laps. You’re welcome.

Oh October, you’re bringing so many awesome comics that star a lot of women. My kind of comics! ;) You get graphic novels about wondrous Mockingbird and Black Widow, sleuthing ladies, and much more!

Get your shopping carts loaded with all these comics!

GOLDIE VANCE • VOL. 1 TP

Move over Nancy, Harriet, & Veronica.

There’s a new sleuth on the block! Sixteen-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place. Her mom, who divorced her dad years ago, works as a live mermaid at a club downtown. Goldie has an insatiable curiosity, which explains her dream to one day become the hotel’s in-house detective. When Charles, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery. Eisner Award-winning writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel) and artist Brittney Williams (Patsy Walker, A.K.A Hellcat!) present the newest gal sleuth on the block with Goldie Vance, an exciting, whodunnit adventure. — Boom! Studios

Publication date: October 5, 2016 by Boom! Studios

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: Goldie Vance had me at “sleuth!” (And Hope Larson and Brittany Williams!) Bet your butts that this comic will be utterly delightful. How can sleuthing girls not bring a lot of fun and intrigue?
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Letters

SINCERELY, CEE • A letter from yours truly to The Inquisitor’s Tale & Adam Gidwitz

Comment : 1

Dear Adam Gidwitz & The Inquisitor’s Tale,

[quote cite=”Goodreads” url=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29358517-the-inquisitor-s-tale”]1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of saints.

Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. They are accompanied by Jeanne’s loyal greyhound, Gwenforte . . . recently brought back from the dead. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together.

Beloved bestselling author Adam Gidwitz makes his long awaited return with his first new world since his hilarious and critically acclaimed Grimm series. Featuring manuscript illuminations throughout by illustrator Hatem Aly and filled with Adam’s trademark style and humor, The Inquisitor’s Tale is bold storytelling that’s richly researched and adventure-packed.[/quote]

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