Book Review: Black Butler Volume 2 by Yana Toboso

Black Butler, Vol. 2 by Yana Toboso
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Volume Two of Black Butler opens up to a simple, normal day in the Phantomhive household, with Sebastian and the everyone else trying to get the house nice for some guests that were coming over the next day. Of course, with a whole bunch of shenanigans happening around the house, and with Tanaka drinking his tea, how can the party go off without a hitch?? It's up to Sebastian to put the party together and make sure it looks really nice for the party tomorrow.

And then the investigation about the famous killings around Whitechapel, which, to tell you the truth, oddly facinated me, mostly because yes, it happened in the Victorian Era (1888, to be exact) and also because I wondered what got into this Jack the Ripper's head when he killed those sex workers...anyway, I liked that they went around, trying to find out who did it, even went to see the Undertaker, who had to have a laugh before he even answered the question. When Sebastian made him laugh (how, I wanna know), that's when the Undertaker told Ciel what happened to the sex worker's body parts. After hearing the grim answer, Ciel told Sebastian to round up a list of suspects that could be doing all of the killing, and the person they thought was doing it was the Viscount Duritt.

So they went to one of the Viscount's parties (more of, they had to sneak in the party to catch him in the act) and, well, Elizabeth was there...so you know Ciel (dressed as a girl) had to run off each time she saw him. Ciel did have a moment alone with the Viscount, only for him to get knocked out by some drugs and then had to be blindfolded by the Viscount to be sold in a auction. But thank god Ciel called on Sebastian to save him, because the next morning, JACK THE RIPPER STRIKES AGAIN.

How???

Well that's a really good question...

Because while they were looking again, they found another one of Jack's supposed victims and went to Whitechapel to see if they can finally catch the one called Jack the Ripper...only to be stunned to find out that it's actually a grim reaper named Grell...and MADAME RED?! I was shocked to even read that (though I've seen the anime and it shocked me then as it shocked me now). Grell appearing as her true self has to be my favorite part of this manga, and her with her death scythe is pretty damned cool.

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Book Review: Black Butler volume 1 by Yana Toboso

Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to pick up some manga again, and decided to start with volume one with Black Butler. I'm honestly glad I did because I found myself missing Ciel and Sebastian and the crew. It is a really funny manga with some parts of it that reminded me of the anime (in which I need to watch part three of it) but other than that, I truely enjoyed it.

Black Butler is about a boy named Ciel Phantomhive who had made a deal with a devil he named Sebastian, and all funny sheanagians happen! Along with his other servants-Finny, Mey-Rin and Baldroy...who can't seem to do anything around the house! Finny is the gardener who destroys anything he can touch (but he's baby!), Mey-Rin is quite a klutz, and Baldroy...just can't cook (oof). All of them are going on adventures and solving cases, even fighting off the Italian mob after they kidnapped Ciel. There was also a fancy ball thrown by Ciel's fiancee, Elizabeth, and yes, she breaks Ciel's ring and he tries to pretend there's no attachment to it, but Sebastian somehow fixes it.

But that's just a day's work for Sebastian Michaelis, the butler of the Phantomhive manor, who is, sincerely, "One hell of a butler."

The artwork in the manga is very beautiful and I enjoyed every bit of it, and cannot wait to read more of this manga really soon!

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Book Review: Halfway to the Grave: A Night Huntress Novel by Jeaniene Frost

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have read about a couple books of the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost-One Grave at a Time and Up from the Grave-and had fallen in love with Cat and Bones as a couple. But reading book one and seeing how they met and how they fell in love, along with finding their first vampire together was a really good experience, in my case. I loved every bit of the action and how Cat and Bones worked perfectly together, and the ending kinda made me mad, but let me explain.

Halfway to the Grave is about a half-vampire, half human girl named Catherine “Cat” Crawfield, and she’s been hunting vampires for a while until she meets the beautiful but sexy Crispin Bones. Thinking he’s one of the vampires that she was looking for, she tricks him like she does most of her victims, and then winds up on the other side, when she wakes up and is caught by Bones instead, who thought that she was one of another vampire’s men, and thus the whole enemies to lovers trope happens between the two.

Bones trains Cat after hearing her story from her about how she was made, which is why she was hunting down all these vampires-because her mother got raped by one and she wants to find out who he is-and also because her mother really hates vampires and doesn't want her to go down an “evil” road and be a vampire. But all vampires can’t be bad, right? Especially when they are so good lookin’, sexy as hell, and can kick ass and take names? Right?

Well before long, Cat and Bones fall in love, and they team up to find a vampire named Hennessy, a vampire that is very vicious and evil at the same time. Well shit doesn't hit the fa until Cat’s grandparents are killed and her mother is kidnapped, and she and Bones goes and find Hennessey and kills him, but not before her mother finds out that she’s dating Bones and pretty much thinks that Bones had her in his “thrall” and was leading her down a path of evil, which is such bullshit.

Then she’s approached by Don from a Paranormal Unit, and was pretty much offered a job there in the hospital after she took out a bunch of vampires, including Hennessey, and also the governor (that part shocked the hell out of me, though). Basically, after breaking Don’s kneecap and scaring the shit out of Tate, she agrees on taking the job and protecting her mother, and even makes a few demands to make sure that she’s taking this job. In the end, she broke up with Bones (which pissed me off) in a note and just left him...like that. That made me so mad.

But in the end, I really did enjoy this and I’m glad that I picked this book up and read it, because now I have a new book boyfriend and a series I really want to complete reading.

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Book Review: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

CW: Mention of racism

This is the first time I’ve ever read a Justine Ireland book. And I have to say, this has moved up to one of my favorite books of 2021. At first, it was going to be a three out of five because I thought it wasn’t going anywhere, and that everyone was going to die because of the shamblers, but then holy hell it picked up, and it turned into a five star for me. I loved the fact that it handled racism very well, and the black queer POC characters were my absolute favorites, though that scene when Katherine said that she’s not going to find someone to love, for a minute, I felt like it was inappropriate (in my mind, but then once I understood) to call her out, that she was asexual, but then I understand it (had to look it up) and I was proud of her for saying what she said.

Now Jane is now one of my favorite characters of all time. She is smart, sassy, can take the lead when she needs to, and also she comes up with very intricate plans to try and get out of Summerland, and investigate what’s going on and why the town isn’t properly equipped to handle the shamblers. It turns out that the town is run by a racist sheriff and his ignorant father, Pastor Snyder, who thinks that Summerland is a place where they will be delivered or something like that. The town is separate (of course it is) and it’s like Jane had to go in secret trying to get through the damn place, but there was that one time that she got caught and had to get whipped-about twenty lashes-all for being out late at night. Like people can’t go out at night and do whatever they want.

Yes, there is racism in this book, but I felt like it was dealt pretty well in my book. I was triggered at some parts of the book, but I did take a small break before I continued on, and I have to say, I had feelings for this book. One of them was the heartbreaking BETRAYAL I felt when the nice indigenous man, Mr. Redfern, and Miss Preston, OF ALL PEOPLE, just give up Katherine and Jane like that. Like, TF my dude? That betrayal hurts me...the MOST. But other than that, I really enjoyed it. From the shocking betrayal to going to Summerland, and living and learning and trying to figure out what’s going on in Summerland, to the shocking ending, when Jane learns what happens to her momma and the only home she knows, Rose Hill.

I do also like the excerpt of the letters between Jane and her momma-it makes it feel real and it hit home, because that’s the most beautiful thing between a mother and a daughter. Though Jane’s backstory is tough, and I hated that she had to kill her own daddy to survive. But you know what? It’s gonna be okay. Because I do have Deathless Divide (the second and last book of the Dread Nation series) and I’ll be done. Because this has to be my favorite book of 2021 hands down.

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Book Review: Reawakened: A Once Upon a Time Tale by Odette Beane

Reawakened by Odette Beane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reawakened is basically a summary of season one of Once Upon a Time, and reading and remembering what happened in season one was a joy and a delight to read. You read about Regina being all sneaky and trying to keep Emma away from Henry, being a Karen and the Mayor the whole time you’re reading it, Mr. Gold being sneaky, Henry doing “Operation Cobra” to get Emma to believe the stories...like you see the growth in Emma in the book and the show and finding out where she came from and how she became an orphan till what she is today.

I have to say, the more I read this book, the more I felt like Regina was acting like a Karen when it came to Henry, and it completely went over my head, but honestly, as I read it, the more I just said it: Regina was acting like a damn Karen whenever Emma was around Henry. But I can see how fiercely protective Regina and Emma was to Henry and how the both of them want whats right for Henry.

And Mary Margaret and David Nolan...oooof their relationship in the beginning. Oof, oof, oof. It was almost painful to read, but I’m glad that I saw how that relationship turned out, through them getting their memories back and her calling out “My prince!” when she saw him after thinking of her name made me smile, because honestly, I thought they weren’t gonna get together, but I’m glad they did at the end.

Four out of five stars for me, truly enjoyed this book.

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Book Review: World of Warcraft: Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak

Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picture this: you have been dreaming in the Emerald Dream for a long time. One day, while you were in the Emerald Dream, you become a prisoner to the Nightmare Lord and everyday you’re being tortured by false memories by the Nightmare Lord. Your partner on the outside of the Emerald Dream wants to save you desperately, and they ask the Druids of your circle to help them save you and also save your world of Azeroth. Alongside an orc with a magical ax who wants your head on a spike and a human with odd powers, these are the heroes that will save you and help you stop the Nightmare Lord from killing your family and friends. This is basically the premise of Stormrage, which is the story of Malfurion Stomrage and Tyrande Whisperwind, fighting side by side so they can stop the Nightmare Lord from taking over Azeroth for good.

This was a really good book, I must say, BUT...did this book stress me out or did it stress me out?? Like...parts of this book just stressed me out that I had to sit the book down and gather my thoughts. I’m happy to see people like Varian Wrynn, Shandris Feathermoon, Alexstrasza, Ysera, Thrall, hell, even Sylvanas. But I have to say, I don’t think I’ll ever survive the Nightmare Lord. Nope, can’t survive him. I want to curl up in bed somewhere in my little home in Teldrassil and never, ever wake again...though if I do that, I’ll be caught up in the thrall of the Nightmare Lord and show me my greatest nightmare. But the more I read this book and see how Malfurion devised a plan to basically bring together people to help him escape the Nightmare Lord and then defeat him with the help of nearly everyone in Azeroth, the more I...actually...started...to...like...him. Shockingly. Because I really didn’t like him that much in the beginning, but the more I read, the more I started to actually like this man. Because he basically outsmarted the Nightmare Lord and brought a war to the Nightmare Lord and won, even though it took a lot out of him.

The side stories were actually pretty fun too. My favorite would have to be Broll Bearmantle and the Circle of Druids. He was actually one of my favorites out of the book, mostly because he was true to himself and knew that Fandral was acting quite sus. He had a friend, Hamuul Runetotem, a tauren druid, help him figure out what the heck was going on with Fandral..only to find out that he was working with the Nightmare Lord, and is taking to a evil spirit of his son, who died a long time ago. Sadly Malfurion had to face him in a fight, but he’s dead and gone now (or he’s completely knocked out) but other than that I liked Broll’s part in the battle with the Nightmare Lord.

But the part that stressed me out the most was Ysera’s part in it. She was CAUGHT by the Nightmare Lord himself, taking out the Eye of Ysera and I got worried for her. I thought Ysera was dead and we’ll never see her again, but then we see she’s in a golden dome, her power being used to fuel the Nightmare Lord’s power. I had to put the book down after that so I won’t read it for a moment, then I picked it up and finished reading it, and I found myself loving this book, even though some parts of it made me want to never go to sleep again, but then realize I can fight this thing no matter what. I gave this book a four out of five stars because of the stress I had while reading this book, and also because Tyrande just...got on my last damn nerves trying to be Miss Superwoman when she could just sit down and let other people help.

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Book Review: The Legacy (Legend of Drizzt #7) by R.A. Salvatore

The Legacy by R.A. Salvatore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hello, and welcome to This book broke me in a million ways, lemme tell you how because OH MY GOOD LORD THIS BOOK. This book right here broke me in a million ways. Well for one, the whole entire thing happened in Mithral Hall/near the Underdark. Secondly, I didn’t like the way Wulfgar went out the way he did, thirdly, I would like to throw Artemis Entreri, along with Dio Brando, STRAIGHT TO FLORIDA WHERE THEY BELONG. Because honestly, WHAT THE HELL MAN.

So first off, let’s start off in the beginning. Vierna, Drizzt’s sister (yes, the nice, kind sister) had came to Jarlaxle (that, turns out, I really like) and told him and her other brother, Dinin (yeah, him. He’s still alive. Shocking) that she’s going to bring House Do’Urden back to power, back in the Lloth’s good graces. How, you might ask? BY GETTING MY BABY BOY, MY HUSBAND, DRIZZT DO’URDEN, AND SACRIFICING HIM. So Vierna comes up with a plan, somehow roping Entreri into this so he can get into a fight with Drizzt, and also turn Dinin into a drider. THAT’S RIGHT, SHE TURNED HER OWN BROTHER INTO A GODDAMNED DRIDER.

On the other side of the world, Wulfgar and Cattie-Brie are about to get married (hooray!) and Brueor couldn’t be happier. All except...Artemis, using the mask Drizzt used to get into Calimport, pretended to be Regis and planted some not-true memories thanks to the ruby pendant that Regis always had. He planted in Wulfgar’s head that yes, Drizzt and Cattie-Brie did meet, but...they also kissed?! The eff? And that made Drizzt and Wulfgar get into a fight for NO DAMN REASON, but at least they laughed about it. So everything was going well until they went to the Underdark and fell into a trap set up by Vierna and Artemis, and Drizzt got caught. I mean, it was one painful reunion because of Vierna slapping Drizzt and bringing up Zaknafein to hurt him (and it did).

Then Drizzt and Enteri got into a fight but they didn’t get to a conclusion, and the last fight of theirs happen on the edge of the mountain thing I believe, and Artemis fell to his “death” like I wanted, but the fool is alive, and Wulfgar didn’t make it. Thanks to a yochol eating him after he stepped in and tried to save Cattie-Brie, who nearly got eaten.

I hated the way Wulfgar had to go. I really didn’t want him to go out the way he did, and I feel like we won’t see him again in the books, though I feel like we will. But the way he went-inside the yochol’s mouth-I hated it. And Drizzt making a vow to only raise his swords in defense and had to kill if he had to, all because he broke a vow to himself that he will never kill his kind ever again. That little passage made me pause a bit and I’m kinda glad he made that vow to himself, because that shocked the hell out of me, like I was stunned about it, so very stunned.

But Vierna dying the way she did because she wanted to sacrifice Drizzt, being a power-hungry bitch, hurts, but sometimes you have to tell the people in your family bye, throw up the deuces and go live your life. I honestly liked Vierna, but then she got her powers back and tried to get Drizzt, but failed in the end.

Speaking of the end...MATRON BAENRE. THAT TWO THOUSAND YEAR OLD DARK ELF THAT SHOULD BE DEAD, BUT OH NO, SHE’S ALIVE. And she has the tooth of one Gandalug Battlehammer, AND HIS SPIRIT. Like...WHAT THE FUCKETY FUCK MY DUDE. I enjoyed all of the action, but the book broke the hell out of me and I’m sad about Wulfgar and want to send Enteri STRAIGHT TO FLORIDA WITH DIO.

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