Book Review: Code Name Verity

Book Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein In a Gestapo cell somewhere in Vichy France, a captured spy has been broken.  She writes a story telling of her secret mission, but in order to do that, she must first tell of the friendship between ATA pilot Maddie and SOE wireless operator Queenie.   The years… Continue reading Book Review: Code Name Verity

Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1

Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1 by Chie Shimada Hinako is looking forward to high school.  She grew up in an orphanage, constantly harassed by bullies until she learned to fight back, only to get a reputation as a violent tomboy.  Ever since, the rumors about her fighting skills have kept her from having any… Continue reading Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1

Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories

Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories by Lee Blauersouth Opal’s father should have been a superhero, but he used his powers to protect a neighbor illegally and wound up in jail.  Ever since, Opal has kept her nose clean, excelling in school and decorum, in the hope of being licensed and redeeming the family name.  Now… Continue reading Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap:  Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps lost spirits find their way to the afterlife.  He’s part-human, and must use expensive tools to make up for his weak powers.  Between these expenses and debts saddled on Rinne by his deadbeat father Sabato,… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26

Book Review: SYLO

Book Review: SYLO by D.J. MacHale Tucker Pierce is warming the bench at his high school football game on Pemberwick Island off the coast of Maine.  In the final minutes of the game, the team’s star player scores the winning touchdown–and dies.  For no apparent reason.  Later that night, Tucker and his brainy friend Quinn… Continue reading Book Review: SYLO

Book Review: Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space

Book Review: Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois Per the introduction, in the Fifties and Sixties, many young science fiction fans’ introduction to the genre was “juveniles”, books aimed at an age above “children’s” but not quite “adult.”  In the 1970s or so, this category was re-labled… Continue reading Book Review: Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space

Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One

Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One by Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshida At the turn of the millennium, Ichigo Momomiya is a junior high school student with a crush on her handsome, smart and athletic classmate Masaya.  He seems to be a bit oblivious to her feelings though, being consumed with a passion for… Continue reading Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One

Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1

Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1 by Kyoko Ariyoshi Masumi Hijiri is the daughter of a widowed sculptor, who has enjoyed her ballet lessons since she was a little girl.  She loves to dance, and watch others perform in ballet.   But stuck in a small city in rural Hokkaido, there just isn’t the chance for truly… Continue reading Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1

Manga Review: Death Note Tome 10

Manga Review: Death Note Tome 10 Story by Tsugumi Ohba, Art by Takeshi Obata Warning:  This review spoils earlier events in the series, including major plot twists.  I’ll let you know when that starts happening with a SPOILERS announcement. The life of a shinigami (death spirit) is pretty boring.  You sit around the shinigami realm all… Continue reading Manga Review: Death Note Tome 10

Book Review: How I Resist

Book Review: How I Resist edited by Tim Federle & Maureen Johnson Disclaimer:  I received this advance uncorrected proof through a Goodreads giveaway for the purpose of writing this review.  No other compensation was offered or requested.  As an uncorrected proof, there will be significant changes between this and the final product. As I write… Continue reading Book Review: How I Resist