Absolute Martian Manhunter, Vol. 2 by Deniz Camp

 Absolute Martian Manhunter, Vol. 2 by Deniz Camp-160 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Comics superstars Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez bring their surreal, smash-hit reinvention of a DC icon to an unbelievable conclusion!

After the mind-altering events of the White Martian’s first foray on Earth, the Agency—a shadowy group with unlimited governmental authority—comes to investigate the strange occurrences in Middleton. John must juggle his job, hiding the Martian, his expanding abilities, and his crumbling relationships, all while living out of a motel. Meanwhile, Bridget wrestles with the revelations John shared with her before his departure while single-handedly taking care of Tyler!

Superstar writer Deniz Camp (20th Century Men) and Eisner Award-winning artist Javier Rodríguez (Zatanna: Bring Down the House) continue their mind-bending, transcendental interpretation of the Absolute Martian Manhunter!

Collects Absolute Martian Manhunter #7-12.

Thoughts: This was pretty good. It's pretty trippy, just like the first volume. I continue to enjoy reading the Absolute DC Comics series. My favorites at this point are Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman. 

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, Vol. 4: Quincy Archer Hates You by Tite Kubo

Bleach, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

A new reality-show craze is sweeping the nation, garnering legions of screaming fans (the majority of them being teenaged girls). But this program comes with a supernatural twist - the host, a media-savvy spiritualist, travels to local hotspots and performs exorcisms, live on national TV!

Surly Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki has his doubts about this primetime prima donna, and his assumptions are about to be put to the test - the show is heading straight for his neighborhood. what effect will this unprovoked media presence have on the fragile balance between Earth and the spirit world?

Crown of Destiny by Ashton E Dorow

 

Crown of Destiny  by Ashton E Dorow  370 pages

In the kingdom of Aerilon, ruled by a queen paranoid of losing her throne, keeping your head down and staying silent is the only way to survive. And for Ayleth of the Jusaren Kindred, a quiet, obscure existence tending sheep on her family farm is exactly what she wants. She knows all too well what comes from speaking out against the queen, and dreads doing anything that could endanger those she loves.

But everything changes the day a Master Scholar arrives with a shocking message: the Eternal One has chosen her as the next ruler of Aerilon.

Terrified of her so-called destiny, Ayleth wishes to forget the old man’s prophecy. That is, until a shocking betrayal forces her to flee for her life with the Scholar’s mysterious companion, Kane, as her protector. Thrust into a perilous journey, separated from all she’s ever known, and leaning on a stranger for survival, Ayleth can no longer avoid the decision she must make… Will she keep to the safe and easy path? Or remain obedient to the Eternal One—no matter the cost?

Book 1 in the Crown of Aerilon series, an epic, non-magical fantasy retelling of King David and King Saul.

I do not usually read Fantasy books, but I was in a book club that read this book.  I have to say I am hooked into this series.  This is the retelling of the story of David in the Bible in which the character is a woman.  This author is new to me, she is a Christian author and I actually got to zoom with her at our Book Club meeting. I am not used to reading war scenes or anything that has dragons in it, but when I go to the end I am so upset I have to wait until January for the second book to come out.  

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

The Night War  by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  284 pages

It's 1942. German Nazis occupy much of France. And twelve-year-old Miriam, who is Jewish, is not safe. With help and quick thinking, Miri is saved from the roundup that takes her entire Jewish neighborhood. She escapes Paris, landing in a small French village, where the spires of the famous Chateau de Chenonceau rise high into the sky, its bridge across the River Cher like a promise, a fairy tale. But Miri's life is no fairy tale. Her parents are gone, maybe alive, maybe not. Taken in at the boarding school near the chateau, pretending to be Catholic to escape Nazi capture, Miri is called upon one night to undertake a deadly task, one that spans the castle grounds, its bridge, and the very border to freedom. Here is her chance to escape; hopefully to find her parents. But will she take it? One thing is certain: The person Miri meets that night will save her life. And the person Miri becomes that night could save the lives of many more.

I read this book because it is a Mark Twain nominee book.  I love reading stories about World War II.  This one was written from the perspective of a Jewish young girl.  Some of it seemed way above what a 4-6 grader would understand, but I could be wrong.  It was a very sad book and moved slowly, but overall a very good story.

You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose

 

You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose - 292 pages

Grace Evans, an overworked New Yorker looking for a total escape from her busy life, books an Airbnb on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming. When she arrives, she's pleasantly surprised to find that the owner is a handsome man by the name of Calvin Wells. But there are things Grace discovers that she's not too pleased about: A lack of cell phone service. A missing woman. And a feeling that something isn't right with the town.

Despite her uneasiness and misgivings from Calvin's friends and family, the two grow close and start to fall for one another. However, as her departure date nears, things between them start to change for the worse. Grace grows wary of Calvin as his infatuation for her seems to turn into obsession. Calvin fears that Grace is hiding something from him.

Told from dual points of view, You Shouldn't Have Come Here is a thrill ride and a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when you open up your house and your heart to a total stranger.

I read this b/c it was a recommendation, but I was a bit disappointed.  About 90% of it felt more romance than thriller.  The whole "will they, won't they" did keep me curious only b/c I was waiting for the shoe to drop and for the thrilling part to happen.  It did happen the last 10% of the book and boy was I disappointed.  Not Jeneva Rose's best work.

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier

 

The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier - 352 pages

A rash of grisly serial murders plagued Seattle until the infamous "Beacon Hill Butcher" was finally hunted down and killed by police chief Edward Shank in 1985. Now, some thirty years later, Shank, retired and widowed, is giving up his large rambling Victorian house to his grandson Matt, whom he helped raise.

Settling back into his childhood home and doing some renovations in the backyard to make the house feel like his own, Matt, a young up-and-coming chef and restaurateur, stumbles upon a locked crate he’s never seen before. Curious, he picks the padlock and makes a discovery so gruesome it will forever haunt him… Faced with this deep dark family secret, Matt must decide whether to keep what he knows buried in the past, go to the police, or take matters into his own hands.

Meanwhile Matt’s girlfriend, Sam, has always suspected that her mother was murdered by the Beacon Hill Butcher—two years after the supposed Butcher was gunned down. As she pursues leads that will prove her right, Sam heads right into the path of Matt’s terrible secret.

This was a really good book, it was very interesting finding out about the Butcher, I like where it went.  Kept me curious the whole time, I didn't want to put it down.

Threshing Day (Empyrean #3.5) by Rebecca Yarros

 Threshing Day (Empyrean #3.5) by Rebecca Yarros-204 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Welcome to Threshing Day, the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. Amid ruthless competition and dragon fire, these thirteen cadets must survive a battlefield where desperate rivals will do anything to gain an advantage and dragons decide one’s ultimate fate―and where a single choice can forge a rider…or destroy them.

Xaden Riorson, the powerful leader. Rhiannon Matthias, the clever friend. Dain Aetos, the dutiful rule-follower. Liam Mairi, the kindhearted protector. Ridoc Gamlyn, the jokester. Sawyer Henrick, the underdog. Garrick Tavis, the dependable aide. Imogen Cardulo, the impulsive fighter. Bodhi Durran, the second-in-command. Mira Sorrengail, the fearless rider. Brennan Sorrengail, the brilliant tactician. Aaric Graycastle, the restless royal. Sloane Mairi, the determined sister.

On Threshing Day, there’s only one rule: don’t die.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Fourth Wing
Book #2 Iron Flame
Book #3 Onyx Storm

Though Threshing Day can be enjoyed as an introduction to the series, due to contained spoilers, it is best read after Onyx Storm

Thoughts: This was the book I didn't know I needed, but very much did. Reading about the Threshing Day experiences of all these characters was really cool, although Liam's was bittersweet. I'm glad for this short excursion into the Empyrean world while we're waiting for book 4 in the series. The artwork of the dragons in this book is phenomenal! I am so ready for book 4!