Review: And the trees crept in

No matter what, don’t go into the forest or the Creeper man will find you. 

An abusive situation leads Silla to seek refuge at her aunt’s hidden manor in the forest with her kid sister Nori. Life is quiet at first, and might have remained so if Nori had followed the rules and stayed away from the forest. Now the manor is cursed. And everything in it is starting to rot. 

Although I got hooked by the premise and fast-paced beginning, I admit the story soon dragged on. I felt like an idle man running on the treadmill with a warm donut hanging in front. A glaze chocolate donut! It seemed that the more I read, the less the story made sense. Silla was going crazy and the romantic interest kept switching from prince charming to antagonist. 

Regardless of the drag, the end is worth it, so hang in there and watch it all make sense. 

Graphic monday : Batwoman Elegy

What's up with all the bold? I'm happy that the book covered Kate's a.k.a Batwoman childhood background, and how meeting Batman inspired her to find her calling. But sadly the story surrounding mad Alice and the werewolves seemed incomplete. The punch line could have hit harder. As for the illustrations -- very well done. The distinction between the flashbacks and present were evident. And hey, the female breasts were not at all exaggerated.

Review: Let it snow

It's never a bad time for some Christmas cheer!! This anthology compiles stories from some of YA greatest writers teaching us valuable lessons in love. Although each author focused on different characters, all three stories combined in each short (about 100 pages each). Sadly, this factor made it easier to pick favorites and judge each writers ability to hold the anthology together.

4/5 The Jubilee Express
After Jubilee's parents get arrested during a Christmas Village sale event, she gets shipped off to spend the holidays with family members. But when her train breaks down, she must go find shelter somewhere else or most specifically with someone else. Will meeting the right guy on Christmas Eve break the spell her mean boyfriend has on her?

Despite of the grand events happening all in one night, this was the most credible story of all three. The characters were believable and the narration humorist enough to hook the reader. 

3/5 A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle
Stuck during a snow storm, three friends must go to a Waffle House to meet some cheerleaders for a twister game. Can a car breaking down, allow two of these friends to share their true feelings?

Frankly, this story was painful to read. One of the three friends was being treated like one of the guys despite of her desire to be seen as a girl. On top of that, she got coerced into going with her crush to see him pick up cheerleaders. During a snowstorm!! 

3/5 The Patron Saint of Pigs
A retelling of It's a Wonderful Life, about an angel helping Addie discover the true meaning of helping others.

The dialogue was realistic, but the story as a whole made little sense. Addie didn't really get a lesson from that angel, instead the angel's actions just seemed cruel and unnecessary.

Feature and Follow Friday : Fa la la

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

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Q: What is your favorite book with a winter world?

Little Women  by Louisa May Alcott



It's been my favorite for as long as I can remember. i have reread it five times so far, and sit each winter to watch the movie, always stopping before Jo declines Laurie's proposal.

What is your favorite winter book?

Review: The Gilrs

Poor girls. The world fattens them on the promise of love. How badly they need it,and how little most of them will ever get it. Evie's an introvert. Her parents divorce and mom's constant search for a lover, keeps Evie absent from home. It feels like fate when she meets Suzanne, a nineteen year old girl who loves her willingly for who she is. But being close to Suzanne means staying with Russell,a self-proclaimed genius, and his community of followers. How far will Evie go for love? Cults have always fascinated me. Although, to be fair, I didn't see the appeal any of them had in Russell. His speeches were kept short. And the girls pasts, particularly Suzanne's, were hidden from the reader. Unfortunately this stops us from caring for the girls the way Evie does, making us mostly fear for her, rather than sharing her enthusiasm. I hope the author had left that decision up to us.