The Sunday Post [2]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight your plans for the week ahead.

News:

Only a day late!

I know I haven't been around very much this week, but we've been enjoying the cooler weather and working around the house. It finally feels like fall! There's been a lot of rain this week, and even the few sunny days haven't been able to completely dry the ground. We can't go outside without squishing!

Jacob was off this weekend, so we took the kids to the museum. There's a really great dinosaur exhibit, and they even have an area where the kids can "dig up" fossils. There were other crafts for them to do, and we came home with quite a few butterflies made out of coffee filters. Our museum has a lot of hands-on stuff, so they were able to play quite a bit while we were there.

Halloween is this week! My son is going as Groot, while the girls will be dressed like black cats. They already had sparkly black leotards (an unused gift from my mother), and I found simple face paint at the store. I've been experimenting with different whiskers, much to their delight. However, there is one downside to going trick-or-treating -- the majority of the candy will not be vegan.

Speaking of holidays... it is way too soon for this. I feel like Thanksgiving gets overlooked each year, and it's my favorite holiday! Do people actually buy their Christmas/holiday decorations this early?

My in-laws are coming this week, so I'm feeling a little anxious. I always feel like I need to super-clean my house.

I've also been redoing all of my Book Blogger Icon Tags! After making the first set, I noticed a few changes I wanted to make (a bolder font, different images, additions, etc.) and spent a few days doing that. Also, the program I was using changed their prices, so I've been trying new ones.

Previous Week on the Blog:

Sunday: The Sunday Post [1]

Monday: Roomies by Christina Lauren ⋆⋆⋆

Tuesday: Watch You Burn by Amanda Searcy Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway ⋆⋆⋆

Wednesday: My Weekly Pull [43] & Can't Wait Wednesday [13]

Thursday: Nothing!

Friday: Mini Reviews [18]

Saturday: Nothing!

What I'm Currently Reading:

Jacob and I are both reading Artemis Fowl to our son. This is our first family read, because we both wanted to read this book with him. It's one we've both enjoyed in the past, and we've had fun alternating chapters at night. 

I started the audiobook for Love & Luck yesterday! I really loved Love & Gelato, so I'm hoping this one is equally as wonderful. It's been great so far! I like the family dynamics and how close she is with her brothers. I also think it's great that she's not afraid to brawl when the occasion calls for it.

I was nearly finished with the audiobook for Circe when my library hold expired! I thought I had one more day, but was unfortunately mistaken. It's a really amazing book, so you should definitely read it when you have time! I decided to get the physical copy from my library to finish the last few chapters. I didn't want to wait 6-8 weeks for the audiobook again.

Still trudging through Strange the Dreamer... I'm starting to think it's not a good fit for me.

What I Plan on Reading Next: 

Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards, #1) by Jennifer Estep, and The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke. I won both of these books from blog giveaways! Kill the Queen from Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer (she did this giveaway for her birthday), and The Boneless Mercies from Jen from Jen Ryland (Spooky October ARC Giveaway).

I've read so many raving reviews for Kill the Queen, and I cannot wait to read it for myself! I haven't seen too many reviews for The Boneless Mercies, so let me know if you've read it! You can always leave a link to your review.

What I'm Watching:

Jacob and I finally started S3 of Daredevil! We're still working our way through S2 of Luke Cage and S2 of Iron Fist. He's been watching M*A*S*H this past week. I bought him the first season for his birthday! We've stalled on The Good Place, because Daredevil is a priority. Single Parents is short, so we're able to squeeze in one episode each week.

Challenge Updates:

Goodreads: 371 / 250

Beat the Backlist: 55 / 100

Ho Ho Ho Readathon: starts November 9th!

I hope everyone has a lovely week! I'll try to do some blog hopping this afternoon. <3

Mini Reviews [18]

Nightmares! (Nightmares! #1) 

by Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller,

Karl Kwasny (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sleeping has never been so scary. And now waking up is even worse!

Charlie Laird has several problems:
1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is not a place you want to find yourself after dark.
3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap.

What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that should never be crossed. And when your worst nightmares start to come true . . . well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.

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I enjoyed the premise for this one, but Charlie Laird was a terrible character. He was awful to his younger brother (Jack), and completely crushed the boy's confidence. Jack loved wearing Charlie's old Captain America Halloween costume, but Charlie was jealous. It was the last outfit his mother had made for him before she died, and he didn't want his brother to wear it. I could understand Charlie's feelings, but I stopped caring after he bullied Jack.

Charlie was also a horrible stepson. He refers to Charlotte as the stepmonster, but all she did was try to help Charlie. She exuded kindness, despite her stepson's cruel actions and offensive words. Even when Charlie didn't want her help, she would give it in subtle ways (to help with his nightmares). He snaps at his family, he's rude to his friends -- ugh. He was such a jerk! Oh, and when people try to help him in the Netherworld, he's even worse. He makes fun of people, taunts their actions, and provokes them until they give him what he wants. I hated his attitude and how he chose to interact with others. 

Another thing I didn't like about this book was the language. For example, I don't know too many twelve-year-olds that use the word fastidious. Also, the word stupid is used way too often. It was really bad when the goblins were taunting a small child. They called him fat, referred to him as a turtle because he was slow, and cheered for him to pee his pants. I understand all of this happened during a kid's nightmare, but I think it could have been handled differently. 

A few positives: I thought the world was creative and interesting, and I enjoyed some of the secondary characters. I also liked that this book focused on facing your fears, and that it mentions not always facing them alone.

⳼

Blackbird #1 by Sam Humphries,

Jen Bartel & Fiona Staples (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): An all-new ongoing series from fan-favorite writer SAM HUMPHRIES (Harley Quinn, Nightwing) and red-hot artist JEN BARTEL! In this neo-noir fantasy, Nina Rodriguez is positive that a secret magic world ruled by ruthless cabals is hiding just beneath the veneer of Los Angeles. The problem: everyone thinks she’s crazy. The bigger problem: she’s not crazy—she’s right. Can she unravel the mystery before the Great Beast catches up with her?

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I almost didn't finish Blackbird, but it seemed silly to DNF a comic. They're too short not to finish, you know? I also kept hoping the story would improve, but Nina was an incredibly frustrating character. She remembers magic that no one else does, and it quickly becomes an obsession.

I feel like the first issue of a new comic has to be informative, which Blackbird was not. Nina was able to predict a natural disaster before it happened, but it never tells you why. Mysterious, magical beings erase everyone's memory, but Nina managed to trick them into thinking she had forgotten. Again... how?

Fast forward (potential spoilers ahead)… she's doing drugs and abusing her prescriptions. She starts living with her sister after nearly dying, and promised to stop taking pills. Unsurprisingly, Nina is still taking pills and does a poor job of hiding it. Her life is a mess, her thoughts make zero sense (which might have something to do with how it was presented), and she still behaves liked a spoiled child.

I have no idea how she "stumbled" across a magical bracelet and knew exactly what it was. The language and magic were knew to me, but none of it was explained. At the end, she proves to be selfish and immature. Oh, and there's a cat with three eyes. I loved his name: Sharpie. This will not be a comic I continue reading in the future.

⳼

Cable & Deadpool Annual #1

by David F. Walker

Paco Diaz & Chris Stevens (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): THE TIME IS NIGH! History’s favorite duo are back together, and just in time! When Deadpool is hired to protect a woman from time-hopping villains, it’s only a matter of time until he breaks the timestream. Fortunately, his old pal Cable has some experience with that. But dark secrets have put the client, and reality itself, in more danger than either of our heroes could have foreseen! David F. Walker, Paco Diaz, and a host of stellar guest artists take Cable and Deadpool on an adventure of epic proportions!

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I'm not currently reading the ongoing series, but Jacob insisted I read the Cable & Deadpool annual issue since it can be read as a stand-alone. It was hilarious! I love these two together, and watching them travel through time is always fun.

I think it's fitting that Deadpool manages to make a plunger incredibly important, and later pees on Cable in the most unusual way. I never know what Deadpool will do or say next, and it's not always a nice surprise. I highly recommend this one if you like either character. Oh, and this issue manages to be politically and socially relevant! I loved the points they made, even when they came from Deadpool.

⳼

Domino Annual #1 by Gail Simone,
Fabian Nicieza, Dennis Hopeless,
Leah Williams, Victor Ibanez, Juan Gedeon,
Natacha Bustos, Greg Land (Illustrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Tales too big for Domino’s best-selling solo series! Neena Thurman’s never worked alone… She keeps her friends close and her lovers closer! FINALLY REVEALED: the origin of Domino’s posse! Colossus and Domino rekindled? Cable takes a bath! Plus: Domino’s not the only mutant wearing her X-gene on her sleeve… don’t miss the first appearance of the RejeX! 

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I didn't love or hate the annual issue for Domino. I enjoyed the backstory for Outlaw and how she joined the group, but it didn't really jive with the person I've gotten to know. It was an unexpected perspective.

I have no idea why the Cable story was there... it was weird and slightly jarring. Why were they in a bathtub? I know what was insinuated, but it didn't match Cable's thoughts.

I love Domino's relationship with Colossus, though it's not one I understand. I was also happy with the support group mentioned within this issue. It's important for people to love themselves and accept their appearances. 

I'm not entirely sure what RejeX is going to be, but it sounds interesting!

My Weekly Pull [43] & Can't Wait Wednesday [13]

My Weekly Pull is something I do every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! If you decide to do your own post, leave a link in the comments. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Infinity Wars Arachknight #1 (of 2) by Max Bemis, Humberto Ramos, Ale Garza
Moon Knight #200 by Max Bemis, Paul Davidson, Becky Cloonan
Spider-Girls #1 by Jody Houser, Andres Genolet, Yasmine Putri
X-Men Red #9 by Tom Taylor, Roge Antonia, Jenny Frison

Jacob's comics for the week!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Macro-Series Michelangelo #1 by Ian Flynn, Michael Dialynas, David Peterson

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Urban Legends #6 by Gary Carlson, Frank Fosco, Kevin Eastman
Amazing Spider-Man #8 by Nick Spencer, Humberto Ramos
Black Panther Vs Deadpool #1 by Daniel Kibblesmith, Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, Cully Hamner
Punisher #3 by Matthew Rosenberg, Riccardo Burchielli

We haven't been getting most of the Infinity Wars comics, because there are a lot of side stories and offshoots. However, there are a few that we haven't been able to resist! Arachknight is one of them. It's a combination Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Moon Knight (Marc Spector). It sounds amazing!

"Chosen as the Avatar of the Spider-Totem, Peter Parker is the dark guardian of destiny doing the bidding of the great weaver of fate... a role that has shattered his mind into multiple personas: a tech genius, a photographer, a teacher..."

The last issue of Moon Knight was trippy. Marc Spector was given a drink that had psychedelic effects. He saw things that weren't there, but that's also pretty normal. The dialogue was weird. The villain (super creeper that needed to die a horrible death) was ranting and raving about the world. His thoughts were all over the place, and I have no idea what he was trying to convey to Marc. I know they were probably trying to set up the 200th issue, but I wish the story had been easier to follow.

Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows has ended, but Annie May Parker is making an appearance in Spider-Girls. I've enjoyed Jody Houser's writing, and I'm excited to see what she does with this mini series.

X-Med Red is always a delight! I love how relevant it is to the world today.

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, that highlights upcoming releases that we're anticipating and excited to read. It's a spinoff of the feature Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller

Expected publication: April 9th 2019

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A powerful, timely coming-of-age story about a young woman from Texas who goes on a road trip with two friends to get an abortion, from award-winning author Sharon Biggs Waller.

Camille couldn't be having a better summer. But on the very night she learns she got into a prestigious theater program, she also finds out she’s pregnant. She definitely can’t tell her parents. And her best friend, Bea, doesn’t agree with the decision Camille has made.

Camille is forced to try to solve her problem alone . . . and the system is very much working against her. At her most vulnerable, Camille reaches out to Annabelle Ponsonby, a girl she only barely knows from the theater. Happily, Annabelle agrees to drive her wherever she needs to go. And in a last-minute change of heart, Bea decides to come with.

Girls on the Verge is an incredibly timely novel about a woman’s right to choose. Sharon Biggs Waller brings to life a narrative that has to continue to fight for its right to be told, and honored. 

I have a feeling Girls on the Verge is going to be really emotional. It's definitely one I will have to be in the right mental state for. Do you like reading books that challenge your way of thinking, or cause you to view something a little bit differently? I really enjoy books that take me out of comfort zone and offer a different perspective.

*Share your My Weekly Pull post! Please leave the direct link to your My Weekly Pull post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

Watch You Burn by Amanda Searcy Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Hello! Welcome to the next stop on the Watch You Burn blog tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. I'm really happy to share my thoughts on this book with you!

Title: WATCH YOU BURN
Author: Amanda Searcy
Pub. Date: October 23, 2018
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 352
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Jenny didn't want to move to the creepy, possibly haunted town with her dad. But the cops are on to her, and the only way she can protect herself is by moving as far away from her hometown as possible and staying out of trouble.

But even after she moves, Jenny still gets the itch. The itch to light a match and then watch it burn.

It's something she hasn't been able to stop, ever since an accident years ago. Now, in a new town, Jenny has the strange feeling that someone is watching her every move. Will her arsonist ways be exposed? Or is the burning truth deep inside her a greater danger? 

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I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product. 

Normally, I'm not a paranoid person, but I was suspicious of everyone and everything in Watch You Burn. Jenny's actions made me feel anxious and unsettled, and she frequently chooses to be reckless. I wish she had refrained from taking unnecessary risks, but it did move the story along. She's struggling with her addiction to fire, and it wins more often than not. I thought it was an interesting perspective, and it made me think about arsonists in a different way. I wish someone had helped her instead of letting her addiction spiral out of control.

I sympathized with Jenny, but I didn't like her. I also didn't agree with most of her decisions. First of all, she was extremely hypocritical. She wanted to collect everyone's secrets, but she was unwilling to share her own. Secondly, I think she should have come clean about her mistakes and dealt with the consequences of her actions. Jenny clearly needed help, but all they did was send her somewhere else. She's also insecure, petty, and jealous. Her confidence was fleeting, and would quickly be replaced by anger and frustration.

At times I felt like the story was a little slow, but the mystery kept me turning the pages. I had theories, but never felt confident about them. Everyone was hiding something, so I suspected every person she came into contact with. There were also a lot of unexpected twists that made me question everything I thought I knew, and I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. It left things mostly unresolved.

Overall, it was an interesting read. However, I do wish Jenny had been more likable. I found it hard to relate to her and her way of thinking. She wasn't kind to others, and she threw money around like it didn't mean anything to her. I was annoyed when she used her parents money for stupid things just because she could. We already know about her extracurricular activities, and yet she still takes advantage of others.

There were a few romantic possibilities, but ugh. I feel like the romance could have been left out. Jenny used people to get what she wanted. She only worried about herself and what would happen if her secrets were exposed. She went along with whatever Ro suggested, and didn't treat her or Kara with the respect they deserved. Her relationships with everyone felt strained and awkward, and I'm not a huge fan of her father. He should have inserted himself in her life more, but he was too busy being distracted by the woman warming his bed.

I sped through Watch You Burn because I was invested in the mystery. I wanted to know what was happening and why, but also learn more about Jenny and her struggles with arson. The characters fell a little flat for me, but the story itself was okay.

Roomies by Christina Lauren

Narrated by K.C. Sheridan

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Marriages of convenience are so…inconvenient.

Rescued by Calvin McLoughlin from a would-be subway attacker, Holland Bakker pays the brilliant musician back by pulling some of her errand-girl strings and getting him an audition with a big-time musical director. When the tryout goes better than even Holland could have imagined, Calvin is set for a great entry into Broadway—until he admits his student visa has expired and he’s in the country illegally.

Holland impulsively offers to wed the Irishman to keep him in New York, her growing infatuation a secret only to him. As their relationship evolves from awkward roommates to besotted lovers, Calvin becomes the darling of Broadway. In the middle of the theatrics and the acting-not-acting, what will it take for Holland and Calvin to realise that they both stopped pretending a long time ago?

“I catch a flash of bare ass and find religion.”

I've really loved this author duo in the past, but I was a little disappointed with this one. However, I am really happy I chose the audio version for this book, because the Irish accent was fantastic!

I started Roomies with high expectations, but grew increasingly frustrated with the story. Among other things, the twist at the end felt unnecessary and made me dislike both Holland and Calvin. Initially, I really liked Calvin. I thought he was wonderful the majority of the time, but his choices at the end were unexpected and inexcusable. He never should have asked Holland to do that. She should have meant more to him, and their relationship should have been more important. I can understand why some of the lies were necessary, but there were a few that weren't, and Holland's lack of confidence at the end was irksome.

Also, Lulu was obnoxious and Holland should have confronted her a lot sooner than she did. Her best friend was all over her husband and made a mockery of their marriage, and no one said a thing. Yes, Lulu knew the circumstances, but she was cruel and merciless. Holland's "best friend" tossed her under the bus often and without remorse. Even after a fight, I thought Holland was too forgiving. 

Holland wasn't very good at standing up for herself, or saying what she was thinking. If she had been more honest from the beginning, a few of the issues wouldn't have been issues. Lulu wouldn't have been able to use her secrets against her, and Calvin wouldn't have been so caught off guard. Honestly, everyone could have been more forthcoming with their thoughts and feelings. Even at work, Holland allows her boss to treat her like garbage, and refuses to call him on his bullshit. Calvin called him a "twat" and I have to agree.

Additionally, I thought Holland was entirely too selfless and way too cynical. She would see things that weren't there, and have thoughts that made zero rational sense. Her mind would be all over the place before she had all the facts, or gave someone a chance to explain themselves. I hated how she could be in love with Calvin one minute, and then questioning everything he's ever done or said the next. She gave me mental whiplash. Why couldn't she just trust what he said and enjoy the moment? She was easily her worst enemy.

However, I did love that Holland wanted to do something nice for Calvin and her uncle, even though it was something she secretly wanted for herself, too. I wish she had thought a little more about herself and her future, but I think Calvin was the right risk for her to take. He truly cared about her despite their circumstances, and I enjoyed them together. He helped her find clarity in her life, and I think him being around brought certain things into perspective for her.

Holland's uncles were two of my favorite characters! I really loved them and their relationship.

Roomies ranks somewhere in the middle for me. I wish Holland had been more assertive, and that everyone had been more honest. Instead, we get a lot of unnecessary drama. I did like that they were married first and friends second, because it gave the story an interesting perspective. It was fun watching them grow individually and as a couple. Although I found them to be incredibly frustrating at times, their relationship felt authentic and showed their imperfections and vulnerabilities. People are flawed and occasionally make bad decisions for what they think are the right reasons. Sometimes you just have to trust another person and believe everything will work out in the end. 

The Sunday Post [1]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight your plans for the week ahead.

News:

The girls are almost two, and they've definitely started acting like it. Trying to take all three of my children to the grocery store is one hell of a challenge. I have to push one buggy with the girls inside, and then pull another one behind me with the groceries. My son can help push that one, but he's still too short to see over the top, and it's likely he would lost control and crash into something. I have to promise cookies and let them snack on whatever we're buying, just to get through the store with my sanity. Playgrounds are safe, because it's okay for them to act bananas, but public outings can be a nightmare.

I've been getting ready for the Origin Event in Austin! They sent out an email that showed which authors were no longer attending, and which ones had been added on to the list. I already have books set aside so they can be signed while I'm there, and I'm also planning on buying a few books at the event. Jacob bought my ticket in January, so I've been waiting almost an entire year for this thing. I've met Jennifer L. Armentrout once before, and she is the sweetest person! Also, The Darkest Star!!

I added a few more Book Blogger Icon Tags!

Previous Week on the Blog:

Sunday: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) by Ilona Andrews ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Monday: Mini Reviews, Blog Tours, and Giveaways 

(The Halves of Us ⋆⋆⋆ / The Seven Torments of Amy & Craig ⋆⋆⋆⋆) *both giveaways are still open

Tuesday: Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox, #1) by Julie Kagawa ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Wednesday: Nothing!

Thursday: My Weekly Pull [42] & Can't Wait Wednesday [12]

Friday: Once and for All by Sarah Dessen ⋆⋆⋆

Saturday: Final Thoughts [6] Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky ⋆⋆⋆⋆

What I'm Currently Reading:

I thought it was a good month to read Nightmares! to my son, but we're only halfway finished with the book. The main character, Charlie, is mean. I understand he's having nightmares, and he's unhappy with his father's marriage, but he's often cruel for no reason. I hate the way he treats his brother and stepmother, and he's even a jerk to his friends. I'm also not a fan of some of the language used throughout the book (calling people stupid or yelling that a child is fat). I skip over the majority of those paragraphs. I feel like they're unnecessary and really detract from the story.

I'm listening to the audiobook for Roomies and LOVING it! Christina Lauren is one of my favorite author duos, and they're kicking ass with their books. The audio is great because Calvin is Irish, and I really enjoy hearing the narrator's accent for him. I know there's a smile plastered to my face every time I listen to this, and I'm excited to see where the story goes. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments as well!

Phoenix Unbound is one I started and really enjoyed, but haven't had a chance to dive back into it. We've been really busy lately, so my physical copies have been neglected. Yay audiobooks! However, Strange the Dreamer is an audiobook I've been struggling with (I don't think he'll ever leave the library). There is a lot of world building, and I feel like it's overwhelming the characters and the story. I've been told it gets better after awhile, and someone else suggested reading this one instead of listening to it.

Me and Me is one I've set aside for the moment. I believe it's going to be a book I need to really be in the mood for, and my first attempt didn't go very well. I'll try to read it again soon! I was supposed to review it for a blog tour, but received my copy late.

What I Plan on Reading Next:

Watch You Burn will by my next physical book, and Circe is what I have on deck for audio!

What I'm Watching:

The Seven Deadly Sins finally has a third season! I feel like I watched the first one ages ago, and the second season was only a few episodes. I really love anime! It's one of the few things my brother and I did together growing up. We're opposites in almost every other way. Seven Deadly Sins is fun and full of crazy shenanigans. There are a ton of characters, and the villains are pretty badass. I binged the entire season in two days, and I love that they've finally found all seven sins. There's a lot going on in this season, and they leave things pretty open for the next one. Now to wait -- again.

Jacob and I have also started watching The Good Place. I adore Kristen Bell and really love her in this! We've enjoyed it so far, though I'm not sure how long she can hide in plain sight... Chidi is my favorite! We're also trying to get through S2 of Luke Cage and S2 of The Iron Fist. S3 of Daredevil just came out and we are EXCITED.

Challenge Updates:

Goodreads: 367 / 250

Beat the Backlist: 54 / 100

Ho Ho Ho Readathon: starts November 9th!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Are you reading anything amazing that I should add to my list? Let me know!

Final Thoughts [6] Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky

Marvel Two-In-One (#1-10) by Chip Zdarsky, Jim Cheung (Illustrator)

THE FOUR ARE NO MORE, SO TWO MUST DO! Something is very wrong with THE HUMAN TORCH and only THE THING can help him! It's the Marvel Universe reunion you've all been waiting for (well, HALF of it, at least!). Plus: What monumental secret has DOOM been hiding since the end of SECRET WARS, and how will it completely change the lives of Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm? 

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There were times when I really enjoyed reading Marvel Two-In-One, and times when I almost gave up on the series. It dragged a little in the middle, but I enjoyed their adventures through the multiverse. Ben and Johnny encountered different versions of themselves, and it's always fun to see how things might have been.

I wish Ben had been honest from the beginning, but I can understand why he kept the truth from his friend. Johnny was in a dark place after his sister and Reed disappeared (also his niece and nephew), but I think he would have welcomed facts over hope.

Dr. Doom was in this at the beginning, but it was weird. There was also a woman, but I can't even remember her name. She was looking for something or someone, and then she disappears. Doom vanished with her, and those two characters were never mentioned again. It was weird since they seemed to be an integral part of the story (until they weren't). Ben and Johnny were also stranded without them, in a time and place they didn't belong.

If you've never encountered an evil version of Spider-Man, consider yourself lucky. The Peter Parker they stumbled across was nobody's hero, and he really creeped me out. I am curious how he became this particular version of himself, because the guy was insane.

I've always thought of Ben as a gentle giant, and love that he's comfortable with his rock form. He accepted his new appearance after the initial shock, and he's done a lot of good with his powers. Johnny still teases him, but they're practically family. I enjoyed watching the two of them together without Reed and Sue around to act as buffers. They had to rely solely on each other. 

In the end, I'm happy I kept reading this series. The middle was a little iffy, but the end really brought things together for the two main characters. I wish there hadn't been as many loose ends, and that more had been explained, but I believe they are setting up another comic (The new Fantastic Four, I think!). Everything in Marvel seems to be connected in one way or another.

After spending some time with Google: The "Next of Kin" concluded with issue 10, but I believe there are supposed to be two more issues in the overall series. I'm really not sure... comics can occasionally be really confusing. Maybe those loose ends will turn into a pretty little bow, and I'll get a few more explanations!