Review: Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia

Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia

When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom—and Raven's memory—she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before.

But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past... and the darkness building inside her.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and first-time graphic novel artist Gabriel Picolo comes this riveting tale of finding the strength to face who you are and learning to trust others—and yourself.When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom—and Raven's memory—she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before.

But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past... and the darkness building inside her.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and first-time graphic novel artist Gabriel Picolo comes this riveting tale of finding the strength to face who you are and learning to trust others—and yourself.When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom—and Raven's memory—she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before.

But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past... and the darkness building inside her.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and first-time graphic novel artist Gabriel Picolo comes this riveting tale of finding the strength to face who you are and learning to trust others—and yourself.

Pages: 192

Format: E-Book

Published By: DC Ink

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Series: Teen Titans

Rating:

✮✮✮✮

Review:

Kami Garcia delivers another amazing story, this time told in a Graphic Novel format. When I was younger, I was obsessed with watching the Teen Titans on tv, so when I saw this book coming out, I knew I wanted to pick it up. This was everything I could have wanted and more. Raven was always one of my favorite characters in the show, and Garcia does not disappoint with her adaptation.

Teen Titans: Raven tells the story of Raven re-discovering who she is after a terrible accident leaves her without any memory. Thrust into her mother's sister's home, her whole life is lifted upside down. She has to deal with trying to remember who she was before the accident, and trying to figure out her growing abilities.

Telling Raven's story in graphic novel format was perfect. Gabriel Picolo brings the story to life with his amazing artwork. I loved how the images were more of a muted tone, and only at certain points were more colors brought in to highlight certain aspects of the story.

I would highly recommend the novel, and I look forward to continuing the series with Beast Boy's story (my other favorite character of the tv series). If you are a fan of superhero comics, and new YA twists to the stories, this is the book for you.

Review: Lovely War by Julie Berry

Lovely War by Julie Berry

A sweeping, multi-layered romance with a divine twist, by the Printz Honor-winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II.

It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep—and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.

Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.

Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.

Pages: 480

Format: Physical

Published By: Viking Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA ~ Historical, Romance

Rating:

✮✮✮✮✮

Review:

Lovely War wrecked me, and mostly in a good way, although there were some strong heartbreaking moments throughout. This is the kind of book that you would want to have a box of tissues handy just in case there is a tear-jerking moment - I had to take a few breaks because of moments like those throughout the novel.

This is a story that you will remember long after you put the book down. It is filled with heartbreak, timeless romance, and a blend of history with Greek mythology. Lovely War jumps between the days of WWI and WWII (primary in WWI), as the Greek goddess, Aphrodite spins a tale of love between two couples during the middle of the first world war.

I really enjoyed the aspect of the Greek gods telling the story. Each gods' perspective was very distinct in the way they were telling part of the story. I also really liked both romances, and how all four characters' lives were intertwined. Hazel and James' romance was my favorite part of the story. It was sweet and beautiful, and they were the cutest together.

I loved the satisfying ending to the story, and how everything came together. If you are looking for a good historical romance that is set during WWI, this is the book to pick up. You won't regret it!