Book Review: Scary Godmother Comic Book Stories by Jill Thompson

Title: Scary Godmother: Comic Book Stories
Author: Jill Thompson
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: 07/26/2011
ISBN: 1595827234







While I've never read the Scary Godmother series before, I was pleased to discover that I'd seen Thompson's work before via the Fables & Sandman series. She's got an incredibly playful touch that worked well with both series & I was delighted to be able to review this book for Netgalley.

Jill Thompson's award-winning children's series, Scary Godmother - widely known from the Cartoon Network animated feature - is back with more entertainment for readers of all ages in this complete comic-book collection! Join Scary Godmother and all her decidedly dreadful friends on the Fright Side as they bring their special touch of Halloween to otherwise-terrorless times for little Hannah Marie - Christmas, Valentine's Day, summer vacation, and more! This extensive collection will have Hannah planning thoughtful schemes to give the perfect holiday gifts; Ruby the vampire getting guidance in romance; Hannah and her mischievous cousin Jimmy encountering monsters at summer camp; and Scary Godmother dealing with someone from her past! Plus, favorite character Harry the werewolf stars in a story all his own! Also included is the Scary Godmother Activity Book, filled with tons of spooky fun, and a full-color sketchbook section featuring more of Jill's Scary Godmother goodies!

There's a lot to love about this comic book. For starters, you don't have to have read the book series to understand what's going on so if (like me) you haven't seen the SG series before you won't have any problem figuring out what's what & who's who. The artwork is easily one of the best parts of this book, with Thompson doing a very good job of capturing the playful natures of her characters.

What I really loved about the book was how dark the stories would occasionally get. Parents, don't worry- it doesn't get that dark, although if you're truly worried you can always sit & read this with your kids. There's nothing here that the average child or teen won't already be seeing on Cartoon Network. This hopefully won't deter people from getting this & will hopefully bring in a few of the older readers since this really has an incredibly wide appeal.

I do recommend reading this in smaller gulps than I did. This was very fun to read but I'll admit that a little goes a long way. There's a lot of wackyness in here & as such can be a little much all at once. (But I couldn't stop reading, so that says something for the addictiveness of this read.)

4 out of 5 stars

(ARC provided by Netgalley)

November's giveaway & more Lying Game news!

Hi all!

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be participating in the Blog Followers Gratitude Giveaway, plus I'll be giving away books to TWO lucky winners! I'll be giving away a copy of a Stephenie Meyer book as well as a Baldacci ARC, so check back here on the 17th as well as on the blogs in the link above- it'll be a great chance to pick up some great stuff!

Got any other ideas for things that would make for a great giveaway prize? Let me know in the comments below!

Also, I just wanted to take the chance to geek out a little more about The Lying Game & the upcoming television pilot they're filming. While landing a role in a pilot doesn't guarantee that you'll be in the tv show if it's picked up (check out the Buffy pilot to see the changes in casting), it still gives you a pretty good chance if the producers like what they see.

In any case, the producers have cast Alexandra Chando as the lead character(s) of both Emma & Sutton. That's going to be a pretty impressive role for her to brag about- not only will she be in the tv adaptation of a Shepard book, but she'll also be playing two characters that appear to be pretty different in personality.

Book Review: To Wish or Not to Wish by Mindy Klasky

Title: To Wish or Not to Wish (Book 3 in the 'As You Wish' trilogy)
Author: Mindy Klasky
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: 10/01/2010
ISBN: 0778328309
Buy it from Amazon.com!






Love Sophie Kinsella? Like Meg Cabot? Longing for your next Kyra Davis fix? Then you'll love Mindy Klasky. Mixing everything that is so much fun from each author (minus Davis' mystery themes) & adding a sizable dollop of magic, Klasky manages to create a book that 'chick-lit' readers are sure to love!

Aspiring actress Erin Hollister believes that bad things come in threes. First she goes to an audition where she's sent packing before she's even able to complete the first sentence. Then she loses the catering job that was supposed to support her until she made her big break. Her third is that after a pregnancy scare her boyfriend unceremoniously dumps her. It isn't until a co-worker (at her second job) gives her an unexpected gift of the use of a beautiful loft & a tarnished lamp. Little does Erin know that this lamp has a gender bending genie with the potential to grant her four wishes. While her first two wishes were easy, Erin soon discovers that some of the best things in life don't come from wishing & that her wishing is on a deadline!

While this is the third & last book in the 'As You Wish' trilogy, readers will like that they'll be able to pick this last book up without worry of missing out on anything major. (Although like me, they'll probably end it wanting to find the other books in the series.) They'll also love watching Erin stumble through her wishes & indecision over what to wish for & whom she should be with. Although it'll be quite clear to readers what Erin should be wishing for & who she should end up with, half the fun is getting to that point. Readers wanting more serious fare should look elsewhere- this book is almost entirely a lighthearted read.

Readers will love this frothy & light read. It's perfect for that carry along book that you sneak-read inbetween work & other obligations. The only thing it isn't perfect for is reading before bedtime because you'll end up wanting to continue reading.

(ARC provided by Netgalley)