The Empire of Dreams (Fire and Thorns #4) by Rae Carson - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from HarperCollins via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: The Empire of Dreams (Fire and Thorns #4)
Author: Rae Carson
Release Date: April 7, 2020


Synopsis: New York Times-bestselling author Rae Carson makes a triumphant return to the world of her award-winning Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy in this extraordinary stand-alone novel. With action, adventure, and a heroine set on destroying the patriarchal limits meant to keep her in her place, The Empire of Dreams once again proves that Rae Carson is a master of epic fantasy.

Even though Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name and a veiled past, she's about to be adopted into the royal family—by Empress Elisa herself. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress's greatest rival blocks the adoption, and Red is left with no family and no future.

Grieving and lost, but determined to find her place, Red hatches a daring plan: she will prove herself as a recruit for the world's most elite fighting force, the legendary Royal Guard—something no woman has done before. But it's no coincidence that someone wanted her to fail as a princess, someone whose shadowy agenda puts everything she loves at risk. As danger closes in, it will be up to Red and her new friends—and maybe some new enemies—to save the empire. If they can survive recruitment year.

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Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns came out in 2011. That was around the time I found myself getting back into reading, especially YA Fantasy. Almost a decade later, The Empire of Dreams released returning to the vast world we first explored with Elisa. This time we have a different protagonist and, in my opinion, a more close and personal story. 

The biggest theme of this book is found family. We first find Red preparing for her official adoption by Elisa. Throughout the book, through flashbacks, we learn more about Red's past and the origins of her PTSD. Red finally feels wanted, but it doesn't go as planned. The rest of the book features the struggles of finding your own place, feeling different, and finding family.

Political intrigue and physical training are the two largest parts of this story. Carson does an excellent job at balancing the emotion with the momentum of the plot. The last quarter of the book went by so quickly. I couldn't put it down.

I love seeing these rich fantasy worlds finding new audiences through different perspectives. This is technically the fourth book in this series, but you could absolutely read this as a standalone. Or read this first, then discover Elisa's adventure from the original trilogy. This story is more personal. There isn't much change of scenery beyond the city and the flashbacks. I was reminded of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, which also took a character from a previous book and expanded on them.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It felt nice to return to a world I missed. I give this book a 5/5. Rae Carson is one of my favorite Fantasy writers out there today.   


--PAUL

I Am Not a Label: 34 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities from past and present - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Quatro Group & Wide Eyed Editions via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: I Am Not a Label: 34 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities from past and present
Author: Cerrie Burnell
Illustrator: Lauren Mark Baldo
Upcoming Release Date: July 7, 2020


Synopsis: In this stylishly illustrated biography anthology, meet 30 artists, thinkers, athletes, and activists with disabilities, from past and present. From Frida Kahlo to Stephen Hawking, find out how these iconic figures have overcome obstacles, owned their differences, and paved the way for others by making their bodies and minds work for them.

These short biographies tell the stories of people who have faced unique challenges that have not stopped them from becoming trailblazers, innovators, advocates, and makers. Each person is a leading figure in their field, be it sports, science, math, art, breakdancing, or the world of pop.

Challenge your preconceptions of disability and mental health with the eye-opening stories of these remarkable people:

Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Kirchoff, Henri Matisse, Eliza Suggs, Helen Keller,

Frida Kahlo, John Nash, Stephen Hawking, Temple Grandin, Stevie Wonder, Nabil Shaban, Terry Fox,

Peter Dinklage, Wanda Diaz Merced, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Dr Victor Pineda, Farida Bedwei, Stella Young, Lady Gaga, Arunima Sinha, Naoki Higashida, Isabella Spingmuhl Tejada, Aaron Philip, Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Redouan Ait Chitt, Jonas Jacobsson, Trischa Zorn, Ade Adepitan, and Nick Jonas.

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Review: Representation matters. This book does that. The people featured in this book come from many different backgrounds. There are both historic figures and modern people. The people included are athletes, actors, activists, scientists, and more. Wonderful artwork accompanies each person's story. There's a helpful glossary at the end of the book with useful terms.

I love that this book exists. All young people should read this. It shows representation for young people who can see themselves in these people's stories and it also leads to exposure and hopefully empathy for young people who may be learning these aspects about famous people's lives for the first time. I give this book a 5/5. 


--PAUL

The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from DC Comcis via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel
Author: Michael Moreci 
Artists: Sas Milledge & Phil Hester
Release Date: May 5, 2020


Synopsis: Before Batman trained him to be Robin, Dick Grayson discovered the power of young love--and its staggering costs--at the dangerous, magical, and utterly irresistible Lost Carnival.

Haly's traveling circus no longer has the allure of its glamorous past, but it still has one main attraction: the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists starring a teenage Dick Grayson. The only problem is that Dick loathes spending his summers performing tired routines for a dwindling crowd.

When the Lost Carnival, a wild and enchanting new attraction, opens nearby and threatens to pull Haly's remaining customers, Dick is among those drawn to its magical nighttime glow. But there are forces ancient and dangerous at work at the Lost Carnival, and when Dick meets the mysterious Luciana and her carnival workers--each stranger than the last--he may be too mesmerized to recognize the danger ahead.

Beneath the carnival's dazzling fireworks, Dick must decide who he is and who he wants to be--choosing between loyalty to his family history and a glittering future with new friends and romance. Writer Michael Moreci and artist Sas Milledge redefine Dick Grayson in The Lost Carnival, a young adult graphic novel exploring the power and magic of young love.

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Review: I really like these YA graphic novels coming from DC featuring younger versions of well known characters. This book features Dick Grayson, most well known as Batman's Robin. 

This book features Dick Grayson working with his parents at the circus for the summer. It's set in modern times. I like the modern difficulties shown for circuses. They're competing with the internet and big name performances. 

A mysterious carnival appears near the circus. Dick Grayson learns about this odd carnival and it leads to some interesting things. I really liked the way color is used in this book, especially between the two. Blues are used for the circus. Reds and yellows are used for the unusual carnival. 

This is a really fun story. The connection to the Batman universe is not necessary. If Dick Grayson had  different name, I think this story would still be just as great. Knowing what will happen to characters like Dick's parents and knowing Dick's future life as a superhero almost takes away or hinders from the story because you know certain things are not going to happen within this story. There aren't as many opportunities to take this story to interesting places. 

I give this book a 4/5. It's a fun story, but the connection to Batman almost takes away from it. 


--PAUL

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Vol. 11 (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Vol. 11
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artists: Daniele Di Nicuolo & Walter Baiamonte
Release Date: April 21, 2020


Synopsis: The POWER RANGERS: NECESSARY EVIL comic book event begins right here as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers return with the White Ranger as their new leader…and a surprising new enemy!

POWER RANGERS: NECESSARY EVIL BEGINS HERE! The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are back in Angel Grove…with the White Ranger as their leader! But what happened to the team after they defeated Lord Drakkon? And what does the White Ranger’s first appearance mean for the future of the team?

The new series creative team of writer Ryan Parrott (Go Go Power Rangers) and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo (Power Rangers: Shattered Grid) begin a bold new era as those answers – and more shocking secrets -- are revealed for the very first time!

Collects Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #40-43.

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Review: I have been waiting to read this volume! The White Ranger is here! Saba is back! Thunder zords! Rocky, Aisha, & Adam have joined the team and Trini, Jason, & Zack have their own adventures to begin. The Omega Rangers premiere!

One of the best parts of these comics is seeing the rangers acknowledge some of the ridiculousness of the original show in a wink and nod kind of way. An example is when they discuss the damage done to the city by the monsters and the zord battles. 

The Omega Rangers story is really fun and I'm excited to see where it goes. They're searching for people newly given powers from the grid, some with positive intent and others not so much.The Emissary and the tenses they use is a fun mystery. Also the moral uncertainty associated with the Emissary.

The crashing a fancy party trope!!! This sequence also features a lot of villain cameos both from the comics and the tv shows.

The artwork in this volume is so great. The storytelling in this art form is so good. There's a morph sequence panel that is epic! And there's an intimate moment of Kim's voicemail to Trini during a massive zord battle. 

This series continues to deliver. This series is not stagnating. It's continuing with new stories. This volume feels like a new chapter of the larger comic book story for Power Rangers. I give this volume a 5/5. 

--PAUL