Ghoul Power

American Ghoul by Walt Morton

* Book received from the publisher for review.

3 out of 5 gnomes

I like the concept of this book and that it’s set in the 1970s, I just wish the humor had been kicked up a notch because what humor there was, was really funny.  With the title I think it might have been better to go with a girl as the main character because then you would have the play on words with American Girl/American Ghoul.  The story is told well and starts/ends strong.  

I was hoping for some more ghoul mythology because as you’re reading you find some stuff out but not everything.  Howard knows some rules from his parents but he doesn’t know why or anything beyond what they’ve told him for quite a while.  What you do find out is intriguing, especially what he finds out about his grandfather.

Howard himself seems older than his years and doesn’t really seem to talk like a teenager, it’s kind of understandable because he’s never been encouraged to make friends or interact with others if possible.  Things get interesting though when he finally does get a friend.  

It was great reading about the punk rock scene and how involved Howard and his friends got in it.  They all make for a rather interesting group of outcasts.  My favorite part I think is when Sebastian convinces them all that they all have to look more Punk.

Overall a good read though I was disturbed by how Howard called his grandmother sexy on more than one occasion.  If you like some horror along with your stories of growing up, then this might just be the book for you.

Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes life can surprise you with a new flavor. The moment you taste it, you’re sure it’ll be one of your favorite flavors forever.”

Review - The Ultra Violets

The Ultra Violets by Sophie Bell

* Book received from the publisher for review

2 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes

This is a fun read but would have been greatly enhanced if it was shorter. According to Amazon this book has an, “Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up.”  I know I’m not exactly in that age demographic but I like to think that I have a long attention span this book though took entirely too long to read.

I love the illustrations that are included as part of the story, I wish there had been even more illustrations because they add a lot to the story.  It feels like a comic book mixed with a cartoon and would have been even better with more visuals to pack more of a punch.  The dialect/slang of the story is funny but at times it feels like the story is trying too hard to make up words/sound cool.   

The main characters are well done and you find out a little bit about each girl along with their babysitter Candace.  Iris, Cheri, Opaline, and Scarlet start as the best of friends who have an almost Powerpuff Girls kind of accident in a lab.  The story then picks up 4 years later when they’re all back together again.  My favorite character is Scarlet because she’s the most feisty out of the group and she develops a very interesting talent. Cheri is another great character because she cares so much about animals.  Opal and Iris are kind of two different ends of a wide spectrum.  Iris is super happy and Opal is the nervous/paranoid one of the group.

The plot meanders a bit but their chemistry as a group is what kept me reading.  The big bad of the story is just told to you outright and the badish character doesn’t take too long to be revealed.

The story’s goofy energy and fun giggly characters are worth reading about and if you’re looking for a book with a comic/cartoon-like feel, than this may be the book for you.

Sentence Sneak Peek - Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg

Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg by Geoff Rodkey
 
The first sentence from each chapter of Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)
* Book received from the publisher for review

“Nobody lived on Deadweather but us and the pirates.”

“It started with the look on Dad’s face.”

“Sunrise Island was breathtaking, even prettier than the name would suggest.”

“An hour later, a white-shirted waiter was clearing the remains of the greatest meal I’d ever seen, made all the greater by the fact that I’d actually gotten to eaten some of it.”

“I thought I knew what a balloon was.”

“Tell me, Egg—what do you know about the Fire King?”

“By the time I sat down in one of the big leather chairs facing Mr. Pembroke’s desk, my stomach was hollow and fluttery, and my whole body felt weak.”

“I took Birch’s horse because it was bigger and faster, and even though I didn’t know where I was going, I figured I had to get there in a hurry.”

“By the time I finally crawled out from under the tarp, I was a wreck.”

“I stared up at the two pirates, wondering what their smiles meant.”

“My first impression of being dead was that it was awfully loud.”

“My plan for starting a fire didn’t work.”

“Dunno why yer all in a twist.”

“‘Oo’s she think she is?”

“There was no mistaking the Grift, Burn Healy’s flagship.”

“I found Guts and Millicent back on the foredeck, trying to stay out of the way of the crewmen who were darting about the rig-ging, groggy and surly after being woken up to change course for Deadweather.”

“After Millicent shot Percy, the soldiers put down their shovels and left in a hurry.”

“I led Millicent and Guts up the mountain, half a mile past Rotting Bluff to where a wide stretch of mossy scrub separated the tree line from the black crumble of the lava fields.”

“Took courage, memorizin’ that map,” said Guts.”

“Once we’d eaten, all I wanted to do was sleep.”