Monstress: Awakening (Monstress, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda, and Rus Wooton

 Monstress: Awakening (Monstress, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda, and Rus Wooton-201 pages

Maika Halfwolf is an Arcanic trying to find answers about many things. She is willingly taken prisoner to Zamora in her quest to find answers. After escaping from slavery she hunts down the person from whom she's seeking answers and then flees from Zamora. Arcanics and humans are currently at a very tenuous peace after a long, bloody war. Both races were made from/after the Ancients, who seemingly no longer exist. Maika's actions threaten to bring war back between the humans and Arcanics. It seems that Maika is very special and not just for what she found in Zamora. Many factions are hunting her because of this. I enjoyed reading this fantasy comic/graphic novel. I may read more of the volumes later. I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

 

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini - 939 pages

The wrap up of a fairly routine planetary survey mission turns deadly fast when xenobiologist Kira Navárez encounters an alien life form in a hidden cavern.  Kira's first contact situation quickly evolves her in a larger conflict sweeping the galaxy and changes her to her very core.   This is epic science fiction at its best with intriguing world building filled with amazing technology.  The characters are filled with attitude from when they first walk onto the page and make you want to know more about them right away.  It does get a little slow in places but the action kicks back in to reward the reader.  

Vampire Knight Manga by Matsuri Hino

Vampire Knight Manga by Matsuri Hino, 3,600 pages
Volumes 1 - 18

I absolutely loved the anime version and decided to see how closely it related to the manga. I was sorely disappointed in the end. I much preferred the ending of the anime because I became attached to certain characters.The manga ended up ruining more than a few characters for me, though it was at least well written.