Jonathan Webb is an American man attending a work conference in France, something he's done a million times. Brubaker and Phillips have done it again.
Jonathan Webb is an American man attending a work conference in France, something he's done a million times. This time, however, he's having difficulty sleeping. It started on the plane ride to France, when he was reading a manuscript for work and noticed that a dream described within it is one he had before when younger. Since then he hasn't slept. It's been three days.
While wandering the streets of the city he comes across a strange club. On a whim, he takes the name of one of the attendees who isn't yet there and begins to assume a different identity. He runs with a dangerous, elite crowd and begins to learn some strange secrets. He still has yet to sleep. Things take on a dreamlike quality - pieces are missing, but slowly they all come together.
What now? What about the life that Webb left?
Brubaker and Phillips are an impeccable team. NIGHT FEVER was an electric read, dark and contemplative with a throughline of philosophical considerations about the human condition and what our true self is. It's a story that will live on in my mind for quite some time to come, mulling over the different implications that exist within the story.
If you're a fan of RECKLESS or VELVET I highly recommend picking this book up. If you're new to Brubaker and Phillips, this is quite a strong entry point as well. It'll stick with you....more
Monsters aren't real, right? But there is undeniably something in the woods out by the ravine... James could hardly have murdered all of those childreMonsters aren't real, right? But there is undeniably something in the woods out by the ravine... James could hardly have murdered all of those children himself.
As the title implies, something is indeed killing the children. After his friends are heinously murdered at a sleepover, James comes under suspicion as the sole survivor. He is ostracized at school, interrogated by the police, and haunted by the memory of exactly what he did see that fateful night. The trouble is, these aren't the only dead kids.
Erica, a mysterious young woman, comes into town and she's ready to kill a monster. James wants in. Things get significantly more complicated when the surviving sibling of one of the missing kids happens to see just what's happening...
This volume is setting the stage for more, and what a great foundation we have here. I'm curious to see where it all goes, and have full faith in Tynion to pull it off well.
I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Admittedly, I haven't read a Batman universe comic in a whiI received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Admittedly, I haven't read a Batman universe comic in a while. Nevertheless, Catwoman always fascinated me. Selina Kyle is the archetypical thief with the heart of gold. She is forever her own self, regardless of whether or not the others in her life agree with what that is - most notably Bruce, her sometimes lover. She's an intriguing character, and Wilson seems to grasp that nuance well within this mini-series.
Selina is after something that once was hers. When a child, her mother had to sell a treasured family heirloom - in this case a broach from Nazi Occupied France. Her mother sold this broach to pay for rent, but Selina long-suspected that this broach was worth far more than what her mother sold it for. Her suspicions are fully confirmed when it goes up for auction as the crown jewel of the event.
It wouldn't be One Bad Day if things went well. Wilson provides some twists and turns, complete with interesting introspection for Selina. Does it matter, what the broach is worth or not? How different is she to the 'villain', to Batman? This is Catwoman's story, and it is entertaining from start to finish....more
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Archer Coe calls himself "The Mind's Arrow." He is a performing hyI received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Archer Coe calls himself "The Mind's Arrow." He is a performing hypnotist, well-regarded about town for the fact that his act is not just an act - he affects real change in the people whom he hypnotizes. He boasts of having cured himself from an addiction to cigarettes, and commonly performs similar feats upon others. Some still think of him as a con, given his background... but how much is true, and how much is fiction? How do you know truth from fiction, when you can hypnotize even yourself?
Archer is contacted by a prominent banker who wishes to hire him to cure his wife of her frigid behavior... but all is not as it seems. Meanwhile, a serial killer is running amok and seems to be zeroing in on Archer time and time again. The cats are warning Archer to be careful, but he's a curious man...
Jamie S. Rich has crafted a compelling mystery full of unreliable narration and intrigue. The plot is quick moving, and it takes a keen mind to follow it all. Even at the end there remain questions - ample room for a sequel, perhaps? While the story could have been tighter, it worked exceptionally well with Dan Christensen's stark artwork and bold paneling.
Archer Coe shows a lot of promise, and is a title that I'd be happy to follow up for future adventures. I'm curious what might land in the hypnotist's lap next time....more
Lisa Lutz is a favorite author of mine, and has been ever since I laid my hands on the first Spellman Files book. She writes with a sense of humor thaLisa Lutz is a favorite author of mine, and has been ever since I laid my hands on the first Spellman Files book. She writes with a sense of humor that is difficult to match, and somehow doesn't detract from the sheer excitement of the mystery as it unfolds within each of her books. It was no surprise to me that I adored The Passenger. The only surprise for me about it was that I didn't finish it last night when I only had thirty some pages left to read.
Tanya Dubois is not responsible for the death of her husband, Frank. Unfortunately, she was also the only witness to that final tumble he took down the stairs, and she had no alibi for it. There was also the small problem of her living under an assumed identity due to the outstanding arrest warrant... So, she runs. What that previous crime she was accused of was is something we learn over the course of the book, and the various identities she takes throughout it.
This book is fast-paced, and replete with the traditional wry Lutz humor. There are downright harrowing scenes, and so many obstacles for our protagonist to overcome that at times I felt certain she wouldn't make it. The cast of side characters is naturally great, and oddly believable to me. Anything noir has a tendency to get into the exaggerated territory... Lutz seems to reign herself in, in my estimation.
This is a book I'd happily recommend to any and all. Now to just catch up on the other titles of hers that I've missed......more
After the last two killer entries in the series, this one was a bit of a let down.
It's a more typical thriller. Carter is nervous about failing her daAfter the last two killer entries in the series, this one was a bit of a let down.
It's a more typical thriller. Carter is nervous about failing her dad's expectations, not getting a high enough grade on the math achievement test. So, she ends up cheating on it. She asks another kid in her math class to take it for her, and he does... with the stipulation that she goes out on a date with him. But she has a boyfriend. And the kid who takes the test for her? His demands keep getting higher as he blackmails her as the book goes on.
This wasn't the same visceral thrill that I got from the previous two books, but it's not a terrible one. Curious how the next one will be....more
This was one of the wildest Fear Street novels I've yet read.
Someone is murdering the Prom Queen nominees one by one, and nobody can figure out who. WThis was one of the wildest Fear Street novels I've yet read.
Someone is murdering the Prom Queen nominees one by one, and nobody can figure out who. Will the mystery be solved before Lizzie herself ends up on the other side of the knife?
Reading through the Fear Street books has been a real pleasure for me. R.L. Stine, or his multitude of ghost writers, has managed to tape into issues that I don't commonly see depicted in books for this age level. Classism and ableism, the threat of sexual assault, peer pressure - all of these come into play, but not so overtly as to be crass or too mature for the reader. These issues, instead, are playing out the way that they do in the life of a teen. Hell, an earlier book even touched upon date rape although it was never made explicit. By playing into fears without doing so in such a mature way, Stine helps the reader address things that need to be addressed and learn from them - in a safe environment. A book. Nothing more.
This book plays into similarly mature themes. Jealousy and toxic relationships are the story of the day. Philandering boyfriends and creeps who push "jokes" to the point of sexual harassment and... worse? It's difficult to say. Anyone could be picking off these Shadyside girls.
I did not see the twist in this one coming, and let me tell you, it's a crazy one. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Stine might take the series next....more
In this issue we finally get to meet the variants and learn more about what their lives are like. Who they loved and lost. We see where Luke has run oIn this issue we finally get to meet the variants and learn more about what their lives are like. Who they loved and lost. We see where Luke has run off to with Dani as well, to keep the family safe.
But is all as it seems? It's never quite as cut and dry as we want it to be, is it?
The clock is ticking down to the ten year anniversary of when Killgrave took Jessica. Killgrave is in a coma now, braindead by all accounts, but she sThe clock is ticking down to the ten year anniversary of when Killgrave took Jessica. Killgrave is in a coma now, braindead by all accounts, but she still feels something... something strange. Is her family in danger? Is she in danger? Added to all of this, there are other Jessica's appearing now.
I love the way that Simone writes Jessica's voice, and Phil Noto's art is the best in the business. This is a gripping story so far, and the pace is moving quickly. Add in appearances from Tigra and She-Hulk and you know you are in for the finest of treats. ...more
Appropriately, I read this book while in the waiting room of a hospital while my partner underwent surgery.
This book is downright bonkers from start tAppropriately, I read this book while in the waiting room of a hospital while my partner underwent surgery.
This book is downright bonkers from start to finish.
The main character is volunteering at a local hospital over the summer. She was filing x-rays, but got transferred to the children's ward... and immediately started hyperfixating on a very upset boy because she could tell something was wrong. This hyperfixation involves her at one point stealing his files to stalk him because she thinks that the woman who got him out of the hospital wasn't his real mom. A nurse is very upset about her hyperfixation. Don't worry, you'll never guess who ends up STABBED BY A SCALPEL.
This book is bonkers, and I loved every second of its insane twists and turns. I guessed a few of the big twists - after all, this is the fourteenth Fear Street book I've read in a relatively short while - but man, some of them were WAY out there.
Can't wait to read more. I'm so glad this series is making a comeback of sorts....more
On the day of the big scavenger hunt, someone ends up murdered. Absolutely dThis was a cute little book.
It's a cozy mystery, the coziest of mysteries.
On the day of the big scavenger hunt, someone ends up murdered. Absolutely demolished by a cast-iron donut, much to the chagrin of the shop owner. She decides to investigate, and not for the first time. No, this is more like the... 55th time, or so, judging by how many books are in the series. She sticks her nose in, and some are not happy about it. In fact, things get downright dangerous. Not least due to the fact she has to take on a new sidekick for this particular venture.
The book is a very quick, but very fun, read. It's a cozy mystery, so you know what you're in for. The series is incredibly popular, and this was the first book I read in it... I think I followed things decently enough, though I could tell that there was a lot about the town that I likely missed out on.
I picked this one up on a whim when I saw it at the library.
The book is essentially what it says on the tin - a homicide detective from the Midwest gI picked this one up on a whim when I saw it at the library.
The book is essentially what it says on the tin - a homicide detective from the Midwest going over a variety of cases and what it's like to hold such a job. It's not the easiest read by any means - there is an awful lot of tragedy. You see some good things happen, and a whole lot of bad. Burke writes with a starkness befitting his position, and pays respect where it is due.
It was an interesting look at a job that I myself wanted to pursue when I was younger, but never quite ended up doing so. I'd recommend it if anyone is curious at looking at the reality of what life is like as a homicide detective in a place where that would require working near constantly. ...more
This is a solid enough start to a new series. There is the Trench, and you don't leave the Trench. If you t Jeff Lemire is such an interesting writer.
This is a solid enough start to a new series. There is the Trench, and you don't leave the Trench. If you try to, or break any of the other few rules, the legendary "Snow Man" will get you. As you can expect - the Snow Man turns out to be real, and Milliken and Mae are in a bit of a bind. The Trench has an ending... what is the world outside of the Trench?
Well, all of that remains to be seen. I'm curious where it will go. The story went quickly, and the art was dynamic. Lemire is generally great at worldbuilding and lorebuilding, so I'm intrigued enough to want to read more. ...more
I read this book on recommendation from a couple of people, but ultimately it wasn't really for me. I can undersIt took me a while to get to this one.
I read this book on recommendation from a couple of people, but ultimately it wasn't really for me. I can understand the appeal of the book - I can fully understand why people are drawn to it and why they devour it and have become downright obsessed with it. I can understand why it moves so many to tears, too. It just... didn't quite work that way for me. The book is perfectly engineered for popularity, you know?
I have a lot of difficulties with this book. A lot of them other reviewers have already explained better than me. Mainly, how where it is being written about is being written about - there are geographical and cultural errors there, that are... difficult for me to look over. Some of it is also in how clearly delineated a lot of the lines are - people who speak one way in the book are good, another way bad. It's very cut and dry.
My biggest issue with the book is how our dear Marsh Girl changed the way that she did. She is the epitome of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. It's difficult to suspend disbelief that someone with zero education is suddenly reading and understanding Einstein. I mean, even Shakespeare, who people argue didn't exist constantly due to classism, made a ton of errors due to the nature of his education. She'd be similar, wouldn't she?
I dunno, man. This book just didn't really do it for me....more
Every now and then the Fear Street series manages to truly surprise me. It hits upon a pertinent theWelcome to Fear Street.
Well, this one was a doozy.
Every now and then the Fear Street series manages to truly surprise me. It hits upon a pertinent theme, or has a truly chilling scene in it that ends up sticking with me. Previous instances included themes of potential date rape, or the scalding hot shower scene in a previous book... Lights Out tipped its hat to the slasher genre with a surprisingly brutal scene that will be sticking with me for a while. While still decidedly YA, man, it brought to mind the bread slicer from the Netflix movie...
Camp Nightwing is in dire straits. One more... incident... and it will have to close for good. It's a wonder it didn't close when the kid drowned last year, but whatever. Anyway. The camp director's niece has joined the counselor staff for the season, despite being a self-professed Indoor Kid. She's gonna try her best to get real outdoorsy real quick. Only weird things start happening the moment she arrives. Oh, and her best friend turned enemy Geri is also there and totally determined to make her life MISERABLE.
Will anyone believe that the danger at Camp Nightwing is real? What about after... murder?
Yeah, it's extremely fun and a very quick read. That one scene stuck out hugely and I appreciated the correct identification of harmless snakes within it. ...more
The Fear Street series by R.L. Stine tend to cover topics relatable to children in the 80s or 90s... maybe even the early 2000Welcome to Fear Street.
The Fear Street series by R.L. Stine tend to cover topics relatable to children in the 80s or 90s... maybe even the early 2000s if you stretch a little bit. Babysitting jobs gone wrong, camping trips, the horror of house sitting for a person who may or may not be a witch. You know, the usual things. [Book: The Fire Game] ups the ante by focusing upon the extremely relatable teen experience of... recreational arson?
Were teenagers getting up to arson when I was a kid and I just never knew it? Did everyone have a slightly sociopathic friend who lit wastebaskets on fire and I just never knew? These are the questions rolling around in my mind as I read this book. Diane's friend Gabe has just recently moved to Shadyside, and his sudden appearance shakes up the normal dynamics of the group. Jill and Andrea both think Gabe is dreamy and a little bit dangerous. Nick and Max are both suspicious of him, but they rise to the challenge of the Fire Game when pushed. Diane? Well, she's terrified of fire, but she doesn't seem to mind Gabe's presence... not really.
Then arson starts happening elsewhere. The police are getting involved.
What now?
It's a fun story with an unsurprising (to me) twist. Nevertheless, a really entertaining, if slightly baffling read. At least it didn't involve threatening bomb threats for fun like Wrong Number did....more
Gotham Central is a series written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka focused upon the Gotham City Police Department. Why did Gotham Central have to end?
Gotham Central is a series written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka focused upon the Gotham City Police Department. Batman is in the series, but only as a backdrop - a constant menace threatening to close cases before the cops can, or worse... someone who makes choices with heinous consequences for the members of the GCPD.
The standout team in these books are Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen. This book features them more heavily than some of the others, and while it's glorious it is also something that will inevitable leave you feeling as broken and furious as Montoya does. While Gotham is no Hub City, corruption is still rampant in those streets - and good people often pay the price.
This series ends appropriately, but I was so sad to see it go. I badly want to continue reading Montoya's story and see where she ends up after it all. I can see, after reading this, what a wonderful choice she was to follow in Vic Sage's footsteps....more
Batman: Damned is the book that kickstarted DC's Black Label imprint, a sort of... new version of Vertigo. Unfortunately, this title is best known fo Batman: Damned is the book that kickstarted DC's Black Label imprint, a sort of... new version of Vertigo. Unfortunately, this title is best known for the controversary of briefly showing Batman's dick in a single panel more than anything else. I don't know why nudity is an issue, seeing how this is a Mature imprint to begin with, but there you go.
Damned is a bit of a puzzlebox story told over three issues. The Joker is dead, and Batman is trying to figure out just what is going on. The series is narrated by John Constantine, and features some of the most beautiful artwork imaginable. Over the course of the few issues Batman interacts with the bulk of the magic using characters, or the otherwise insane. Harley Quinn, Swamp Thing, Dead Man, Zatanna, and Etrigan/Jason Blood come into play. It's an eerie mishmash of things, Enchantress showing up now and again until the ending.
The ending is ambiguous, left a lot of people upset. It...seemed fairly clear cut to me for the most part.
I know I'm in the minority loving this book, but man I did. It's an unusual story. Fans of Grant Morrison's The Invisibles might dig it....more
Ed Brubaker is one of my favorite comic book writers.
I picked up this volume at the library, not knowing at all what the plot was, but just on the ba Ed Brubaker is one of my favorite comic book writers.
I picked up this volume at the library, not knowing at all what the plot was, but just on the basis of seeing his name. Friday carries on in the long tradition of stories about child detectives. In this case, the boy detective is joined by a hardscrabble girl as his bodyguard. Together they grow up in a small town solving mysteries and unraveling corruption. Eventually, though, they grow up. They grow up and she leaves town on the heels of an awkward sexual encounter with him. She returns to visit... what happens now?
This is such an interesting premise, and it's exceedingly well executed. There are more mysteries whose seeds are planted in this first volume, but I'm reluctant to give anything away. Suffice to say, I can't wait for more to come out. As a kid madly in love with Harriet the Spy and Hardy Boys books this is catnip for me and I'm dying for more.
Really want to know just what will happen next......more
Friend of the Devil was my first Reckless book, but it wasn't too difficult to pick up on just what I was reading. It's a classic noir story, the typ Friend of the Devil was my first Reckless book, but it wasn't too difficult to pick up on just what I was reading. It's a classic noir story, the type that Ed Brubaker is so skilled at writing. This story is set during the dark 1970s Hollywood - a particular place and time that was rife with opportunity and corruption, a snapshot of which he is able to so perfectly convey.
This is a twisting mystery, a dark tale that enraptured me from start to finish. It was easy to see things were going wrong, and such noir tropes might end up being a bit tiresome for certain readers but they're like catnip for me. This is a story I'm going to be watching, and definitely wish to continue reading.
Hilary "Fox"
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