Fire in Ice---Not Too Cheesy and All the Grits

picture courtesy of goodreads.com

*waves flag* Cheerio.

It's basically summer over here and I already hit the books. I am planning on some beach reads and definitely non-fiction.

And still talking about books: I just finished a fantasy book a few days back. All suspense, action, and a bad-ass female main character; Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs centers on Mercy Thompson, a were coyote, going on a rescue rampage yet again.

Married to an alpha werewolf, Mercy has her husband and a pack of wolves to worry about. She goes on an adventure to save her husband and the pack. Of course, as the series entails many are after her head and her life is now up for bidding to the highest bidder and the strongest fighter to fight her on a fight to the death.

I have followed this series for a while and have found myself an avid fan with all the action, back talking, supernatural characters, dark humor, and sweet romance. However in this volume Briggs cuts short. The plot involves conspiracy which is great but the conspiracy itself is a-typical and given to you the reader before you get the chance to figure out who it is. It's the equivalent of watching Dora and having Dora answer the question before you got a chance to answer back. Bad Bad. Swiping rights should be up when a book is 340 pages and it involves a typical cat and mouse chase like this one.

This book is perfect for a snack read, otherwise don't count on fireworks with this one.

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Can you Say Cat Butterfly (Kafka Mash-up)

cover picture courtesy of
goodreads.com

Hello, hello, hello, hello

Hope you have started this year with a great celebration and a head start on your goals for the year.

I have made constant upkeep of my blogs part of my goals, so you will be hearing more of me here. Sometimes life gets you and you just have to laugh.......like the way this book right here did.

I found this book at a local library and I just laughed instantly at the cover. Come on!!!!! It's a cat's head on a man. A MANCAT. WITH A SERIOUS FACE. That is photoshop at its best. I picked this book up and did my usual routine of reading the first few pages. Which now that I think of it, I should stop. Being spontaneous comes in handy in getting to know what books not to read ever again and books you will always love.

Anywho, I started reading this book and discovered that it is actually a mash-up written by Coleridge Cook of the classic novel, Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. In The Meowmorphosis, instead of the main character turning into a cockaroach; he turns into a big fat kitten (I am still laughing as I write this). The man turned-big-fat kitten, Gregor Samsa, goes through a journey in which he discovers more about his family, his life as a human being, and the life of a tabby on the streets. Yes, because of course, there is a gang of tabbies in this book that Gregor meets. (still laughing)
 
And the most awesome part of this book is the pictures included which accompany certain passages. I guess just to emphasize the imagery of certain scenes. Oh.man! If you like cat memes you will definitely laugh at the randomness and awkwardness of these pictures. It made some of the boring parts tolerable and even enjoyable.

meme courtesy of weknowmemes.com

Even after I finished reading the story, I was still laughing. Coleridge Cook who decided to do this mash-up still continues the cat theme in the afterword.

I would definitely recommend reading the original version first before reading The Meowmorphosis. Regardless I know you will be laughing.

Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow,
Miss Bobo

It's a Tiger! It's a Quest! It's A Tiger's Quest!

Ahoy! *waves white flag weakly* I've been bombarded with work, that I have barely had time to post reviews on here.  I haven't even finished a lot of the books I had checked out at the library because of so much work. Sometimes, I just wish I could just flop and runaway somewhere. Go into some Alice in Wonderland trip and freak out because every plant and animal is a colorful animated thing that can talk (if you can catch my dark reference, I hope you liked it).

Anywho, I did manage to finish a few books that I will be reviewing...right about......NOW: *boom* commence confetti explosion:

picture courtesy of goodreads.com

Remember my review on Tiger's Curse (Book 1 of the Tiger's Curse Series) back in June 2012? Well I was able to finish the second book called Tiger's Quest and man do I have a story for you. 

Just letting you know if this becomes a movie; it will become a hit. There is so much graphic action (and not too bloody either..sorry gory lovers) packed in this book, that I just sat and lapped it up. This is an improvement in writing from the last book. You can see that Houck put some thought into writing this book, especially the fighting scenes. 

There is romance with a sultry taste to it, that is the equivalent of a hot woman/man winking at you across the aisle and having an intense staring contest with you for a straight hour. (Talk about teassssiiiiing!). Secretly, the suspense is all the better from having that make out session you so desire....Sorry, got carried away there, but you somehow know what I mean (you do! you really do!) 

There were times that the sweetness and cheesiness from the first book will fly back in and slither on occasion but it compliments the sultry enough to be digested. I'd say continue reading the series and if you haven't already started check out the trailer in my first review for a hook. 

Not bad, Houck. 

Til Next Blogpost,

Miss Bobo

Bonechiller (A Book Review)

pasted from goodreads.com

Holly ho everyone! Hope everyone is doing all right.

Currently I have been trying to catch up on this reading challenge of 50 books before the year ends and so far I have been able to squeeze in some books during the past two weeks. Which means: there are a couple of book reviews on the way.

And this is numero uno.

Written in first person narrative; this book tells the story of Danny, a teen boy, who has moved with his dad from Toronto to Harvest Cove; a small town where nothing ever happens.
One night while cruising with his new friends, he meets a "strange creature" that no one has ever seen before. He comes back home terrified and discovers legends around this creature. At first, Danny tries to disregard such a creature exists but as he tries to forget, he soon realizes he can't and now he will have to face it in order to survive and save his friends.

The creature itself was interestingly disgusting in description which helped in finishing the book. However, I don't like the way the author transitioned from the main character's normal routine to this creature. It is weak and barely visible. And the author could have done better.

Just for the monster, I won't label it as a bad apple. However, I would hesitate in recommending it to anyone unless any of you are monster lovers.



(check out the book trailer made by a fan.)




Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Book Geek Week News for 2013

courtesy of imdb.com

courtesy of imdb.com

Hey, everybody. Hope you all are having a great holiday week. Wish you all good tidings before, during, and after New Years Eve.

Just wanted to drop by a review along with some other news.

First off: news; with the Twilight saga thing ending there are two movies coming out soon (just around the corner) that are straight from the supernatural fiction book shelves: Beautiful Creatures coming out in February 2013 and City of Bones (part of the Mortal Instruments series) in August of 2013.


The significance is that despite the 7 month gap in between movies, there is a question of which one will take the throne for film adaptation of a supernatural YA novel. There is also the question if these movies will capture the series well, quench the thirst of the book fans, and also create a strong hold on the audiences that go watch them.


Nevertheless, with such movies coming out, it is seen that the supernatural genre in the YA section is taking popularity. And among them there are other novels being adapted to film next year. Here is a list of a few I found on squidoo.com:


1. World War Z by Max Brooks (set to release on June 2013)
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (set to release November 2013)

3. Paranoia by Joseph Finder (set to release October 2013)

4. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (set to release March 2013)

5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (set to release November 2013)

And these are just a few of them. I guess now with less new ideas in the world of cinema, most people working in that medium are adapting movies to cash in the big check or really haven't found a new idea besides making a romantic comedy, action movie, or a movie based directly on a book or some significant thing in the media. But enough of my ranting on that.

 So far, things have come out good. Books never stop being in popularity whether e-book style or physical print with all the binding and non-virtual pages. And other good news: picked out some interesting novels and a few book reviews are due after this post, (right before New Years Eve!)

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Jiu Jiu v.1 (book review)

Hey guys hope December is treating you well wherever you may be. Recently, with this upcoming winter break I got a chance to check out a few books to crack on some book reading.
A few of them I have already started reading them on the side until I can go full blown book worm mode aaaaaand I got to finish one of them.

picture courtesy of mangapark.com

Now, this is a first since the beginning of this blog because I usually review fiction rather than comic books or graphic novels. So as a first: here is my review on a manga I picked up yesterday.

Titled Jiu Jiu (story and art done by Touya Tobina), this manga starts with the growth of Takamichi who is put in charge as a demon hunter after her twin brother passed away. As years go on, her father finds two puppies and puts them in Takimichi's care. She calls them Snow and Night and takes care of them for 3 years. As she gets older she starts high school and spends less time with them. Puppies now turned into grown dogs, find themselves in a struggle to stay by her side.

As you can tell by the plot, it is a shoujo story 9meaning that the target audience is young girls). Personally, I do know a few guys who do read shoujo so it isn't a big deal. But with shoujo mangas like Vampire Knight and Absolute Boyfriend, its a bit hard to distinguish yourself in the genre when the main point is about a girl finding love (or so is the usual trend in this genre).

Anywhoo...I found this graphic novel more cute than comical and there were instances in which there wasn't much of transitioning in character growth. I liked the concept of a girl being put in charge of her dead brother's job and found that her character was aggressive in action sequences. Nevertheless, its cute just not that big of a deal. This would probably go well for a girl who is in her preteen-early teen years and who had just started getting into japanese graphic novels.


Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Thank You & Some Hot Tamales!

Tally-ho Book Adventurers! I apologize for being M.I.A for the past few weeks. I have been caught in the tumults of life (school work) and a book I am reading which I will be reviewing very soon (hint: Santiago Gamboa). 

picture courtesy of memegenerator.net

Just want to state for the new followers: thank you for following and don't be scared to post a comment (whether good/bad). I welcome all opinions: as long as there are no insults. 

Books are a window to different worlds and universes; not everyone will like the same "trip" (OK, I don't make sense that much but bear with me >.<). So thank you again for following this blog :D

As for the hot tamales: some of you might be all too familiar with the movement that is going on online: indie self-published ebooks that have been posted on the kindle ebook section of amazon.com.

picture courtesy of Wiki Commons

So far, I have found myself confounded by 5 pages of the list of free ebooks online. I am still perusing as of this moment and have downloaded about 5 books. (And they're mine to keep *evil grin*). Oh, and for those of you who are always hesitant about hot books that are turned into movies (i.e Alex Cross, The Hunger Games): in the list of free books you will be able to find previews of those books. SOoooo, instead of buying the "hot" books you can preview them and see if you like them; if not you don't have to worry about wasting your money...cause its FREE!

And on another hot tamale: I just found out last week: the film adaptation for Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl is expected for release on February of next year. For those of you who are fans of the series, the date on the IMDB.com (which is where I got my source of information) says February 13 2013 as the release date (just in case you want to mark your calendar). 

I also saw the trailer and as a film adaptation: doesn't look bad. Then again, trailers can deceive people. Anywaaaays, I suggest to start recommending reading the original books (yep, it's a series alright) to your friends who are fantasy/paranormal romantics because it is a love story AND it would suck for them to see the movie and then read the book that way: the characters will be defined by the actors rather than them choosing as to how they would look like when they read the book. My professor for Film Rhetoric once said that it is better for the reader to have the power on how the characters look like in a book than defining them in appearances to the actors in the film version. Definitely agree on that.

For now, that's it folks

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Be Careful What You Wish For ("The Boy Who Couldn't Die") Book Review

picture courtesy of jacketflap

Hope you all are having a wonderful head-start on your weekend. But now the book review at hand!

At a library or bookstore there is always a random book you will find that will snatch you by the cover or maybe its magical allure (maybe not). However, for me this one was the title. Any book can have a skull on the cover but a title like this? It kind of reminded me of those Fear Street novels by R.L. Stine.

Written in first person narrative by William Sleator, The Boy Who Couldn't Die is the story of Ken, a teenage boy who is dealing with the death of his best friend Roger. After two weeks of dealing with his grief he ventures out to become immortal. What he doesn't know won't kill him right?

Reading this novel was exciting in some ways. This one is rather unique from the usual supernatural books. Although there is romance, it isn't the main focus of the story. Sleator wrote Ken's character so believable that I actually disliked his personality. I was glad Ken learned a few lessons after finishing the book. The ending was "meh" because it focused on the romance part of the book. Of course it would have been cliche if the ending was something like the villain coming back and getting one last laugh. Either way I definitely recommend this book if you are in the mood for some supernatural third world witchcraft.


Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Unraveling Isobel (Book Review)

picture courtesy to goodreads.com

I remember back when I reviewed Possessed, mostly a quasi ghost story I lost anticipation in. It was all right for amounting to the suspense in a lot of moments but where was the huge wisp of mystery? Anywaaaaays, talking about ghost stories, just  a few days ago I finished reading another ghost-story novel titled Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook.

Written in first person narrative, this novel is about Isobel, 17 years old, who is dealing her last year as a minor living with her mom, her new husband, Richard, and Richard's hot son. Isobel really didn't want to leave her home in Seattle to live with Richard (a.k.a "Dick"). Plus the fact that she is still thinking about going to art school despite her mother's rejection to it. However, as Isobel stays at Richard's house she starts experiencing things that set her on the brink of questioning her sanity.

Within reading the first page of this book, I was in giggles. Isobel's character is relateable and there are no hints on what comes next. OF COURSE, there is a whole subtlety to "Dick" in the way he acts that eventually you get it. I like that Cook put good humor within the characters and the events that happen throughout the book, enough to entertain but not throw off the plot. There were moments where I was taken by the unexpected. I liked that I couldn't guess right what was going to happen next. However, the ghost part of the book wasn't too much to really freak me out. The ending was just the icing on the cake. I still recommend it in case there is a mood for some dark humor and a mystery literary scooby snack gone not-too-stale.

Til Next Blogpost,
Miss Bobo

Hey there book lovers! Hope your summer is starting well. There is some interesting mysterious news going around lately. 

the book series (courtesy of hippiesbeautyandbooks blog)

For those of you who have read The Mortal Instrument series composed by Cassandra Clare: The Mortal Instruments will be adapted into film. Yes, folks, adapted into film. It is now in the process of production to be later on released next summer. And there is already two actors assigned for the main characters.

Lily Collins
(courtesy  We Fancy Books Blog)

Lily Collins (Mirror, Mirror) will be playing Clary Fray and Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd) will be playing Jace Wayland. There are already rumors that Chris Riggi (Vampires Suck) will be playing Alec Lightwood. As for the rest, there is still a casting process going underway. The film is said to be mostly filmed in New York and Toronto but settings along with the role casting may still be changed since it is in its beginnings. 

However, for you New York and Toronto fans: there will be look outs and hiring of extras. If you want to be part of this production and maybe even get paid for it, you can check Acting-Auditions site for more news and updates.

Personally, I am not much of a fan of book-into-film transformation. BUUUUUT, I do recommend for those who haven't read the series, to check it out. This series is epic in delivering supernatural action packed adventure with some romance as a side dish. I haven't finished reading or keeping up to date with the series since City of Glass, but I will be finishing this summer with the accomplishment of keeping up to date with it (expect the review this fall!).

Jamie C. Bower
(courtesy of We Fancy Books  blog)

As for now, just hold on to your seats: this is going to be quite a surprise. (I really had to be corny! lol)

(Note: If you want to be kept directly in check with what's going on for The Mortal Instruments film, check out this website. If not you can always hit "like" on the facebook page

Vampires Still Amist

the hardcover cover

While I am cooking up that movie vs. book comparison I will continue to cultivate the usual random book reviews. Recently, I finished another supernatural novel. (I have a fancy for the supernatural especially vampires). When it comes to vampires in novels you know there is going to be some action. This is definitely the case with Meg Cabot’s Overbite; a novel written in third person narrative about vampires, redemption, ancient history, and of course some romance.

Taking place in present day New York, Overbite follows Meena, a psychic; her vampire lover, Lucien Antonescu; her brother, Jon; and her handsome co-worker, Alaric Wulf in an action drama against flesh eating vampires.  Although, Jon participates less in the action as the other characters, the action is just an added bonus to all the dramatic twists.

This novel would mostly be considered a supernatural mystery/romance because certain “criminals” are punished and eliminated and of course the protagonist gets the happy ending.  It would have been advisable for Meena to have been able to kick some butt just like the other characters instead of just having the brains to uncover the mystery. Nevertheless, Velma would be proud for her cookie smarts. If you are a vampire action lover you will definitely get sucked into this book. 

A Supernatural Drama Bomb Review

There are many people who are brave enough to admit they are into romance novels.  I am one of them. So when I find a supernatural romance, I get rapped up in it enough to spend a whole afternoon reading halfway through the book. This novel was one of those.

Written in first person narrative, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, takes place in a small town named Gatlin where most folks call the Civil War the Battle of Northern Aggression. Here everyone is the epitome of average normality, except for Ethan and Lena; (the main characters), who knew each other in dreams before they met each other. (Talk about love at first dream)

Although, I would have finished the book in one day and a half, there is so much intense supernatural drama mama that I had to segment the reading within days of the week. Yes, folks, I said days. There are so many twists in this novel than any sensational soap opera seen on TV; I wouldn't be surprised if this book is adapted into a movie. 

Be prepared for those cliche moments, because of course, this is a teen supernatural romance.  Nevertheless, for those who have read Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instrument series; you might just have found your fix with this one. 

(P.S. CHECK OUT THE TRAILER...DEFINITELY MUST READ!)

Dead is the New Black (Indeed)

A quick read is always needed when someone is on the go. And this one is just the adventure needed when say sitting in an office bench.

The adventure, or rather the story, starts exactly as it is happening. Written in first person narrative in the voice of Daisy Giordano, Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez; revolves around Nightshade, a town where strange happenings tend to occur. For Daisy and the rest of the inhabitants of Nightshade, these happenings are just part of everyday life; until a girl is found dead with unknown causes and the "it" girl, Samantha Devereaux, comes in Nightshade High sporting an outrageous new look. Things are not starting out good. Especially when Daisy's mom, a psychic who works on helping solve crimes, comes home in need of help on the case of the dead girl.

Trust this book to bring you back in that cozy Nancy Drew drive with a mystery that will remind you of Scooby-Doo. Although, there won't be any monster chase with multiple doors to imagine, there is quite a romance and your cliche of highschool dances to read and picture.

Til next review,

Eleanor Bobo