Review: The Illustrated Crystallary by Maia Toll

Title: The Illustrated Crystallary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Magical Gems and Minerals
Author: Maia Toll
Format: eARC
Pub. Date: June 9th 2020
Source: Netgalley / Storey Publishing


Book Description:

In the ancient world there were three medicine kingdoms: animal, vegetable, and mineral. Following her previous acclaimed volumes on animal (The Illustrated Bestiary) and vegetable (The Illustrated Herbiary), Maia Toll fulfills the call for mineral with The Illustrated Crystallary , exploring the mystical qualities of 36 fascinating crystals and minerals, including gold, silver, copper, amethyst, hematite, mica, smokey quartz, emerald, ruby, and more. Combining bits of ancient wisdom with her own insights, Toll explores the aspects and energy of each stone and, through rituals and reflections, the life guidance it might offer contemporary readers. Obsidian’s shiny surface and sharp edges reflect the shadowy corners of the self and serve as the tool for cutting them loose. The sky-like color of earthly turquoise provides balance between opposing forces. The stunning illustrations of Kate O’Hara magnify the symbolism of each crystal throughout the book, and are also featured on 36 oracle cards included in an envelope bound in the back of the book.

Also available: The Illustrated Herbiary Collectible Box Set and The Illustrated Bestiary Collectible Box Set.

Review:

★★★★★

This book is absolutely gorgeous.

There are 36 crystals in this book. Each one has a beautiful illustration to represent it, as well as a description of what that crystal means or represents, its rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a self-reflection guide, and a ritual that utilizes that crystal. It's easy to read in one go, but because it describes individual crystals, it's also easy to set down, or to use as a reference guide.

Peppered throughout this book are little fun bits, such as quotes, questions to ponder as you reflect, and small stories of history and mythology. There's a good variety of types of stories, including Nordic, Renaissance, ancient Egypt, Rome, and more.

Some of the crystals that are described in this book include Azurite, Salt, Carnelian, and Larimar.

If you use crystals or practice magick, this is a beautiful book to have at your reference. Or, if you just are a fan of gorgeous mystic art, this book is worth looking through.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Mini Review: Doodling in French by Anna Corba

Title: Doodling in French: How to Draw with Joie de Vivre
Author: Anna Corba
Format: Hardcover, 144 pages
Pub. Date: January 25th 2012
Source: Gift from Lisa


Book Description:

Take a trip to Paris, without leaving your own backyard! Learn to create line drawings of all things quintessentially French with this charming volume filled with easy-to-follow exercises. Casual doodles will take on a Parisian je ne sais quoi as you render the majestic tiers of the Eiffel Tower, sketch the playful outlines of a fleur-de-lys, or learn to draw the perfect croissant. Sure to delight Francophiles and lovers of vintage ephemera alike, Anna Corba's evocative collages provide an alluring backdrop to her drawing instructions. In a gorgeous little package as pretty as a French pastry, including decorative blank pages in back that tear out so readers can doodle their own masterpieces, this sweet book is an ideal gift for anyone longing for la belle vie.

Review:

★★★★

This is such an adorable little book.

It's worth noting that I am one of the least artistic people on the planet. Even my stick figures are wonky at best. I've never taken the time to practice, and well, I'm just not good at it. But I do love to doodle, and I am often lured in by designs and imagery of French things. So, I think this book was perfectly made to be right up my alley.

The drawings are divvied up here by where they can be found, such as a cafe or a living room or a park. Each design has really easy to follow steps on how to achieve the desired sketch. Even I could follow them! The end results are darling and it made me feel like I could actually draw, even though sister, that is definitely not the case.

If you already have a talent for drawing, this is probably going to be too easy for you. But if you're like me and you just like to sketch and doodle without any real skills to speak of, this book is a good way to learn a little something more impressive.

Review: Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1: The Shrike by Kelly Sue DeConnick

Title: Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1: The Shrike
Series: Pretty Deadly #1-5
Author: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Illustrator: Emma Ríos
Format: Paperback, 120 pages
Pub. Date: May 13th 2014
Source: Goodreads First Reads


Book Description:

TKelly Sue DeConnick (Avengers Assemble, Captain Marvel) and Emma Rios (Dr. Strange, Osborn) present the collected opening arc of their surprise-hit series that marries the magical realism of Sandman with the western brutality of Preacher. Death's daughter rides the wind on a horse made of smoke and her face bears the skull marks of her father. Her origin story is a tale of retribution as beautifully lush as it is unflinchingly savage.

"It's a perfect match for the gorgeous, dizzying artwork in a sumptuous palette-overlaid panels add intricate choreography to fight scenes, and detailed, whirling splash pages beg for long-lingering looks. Couple that, along with a handful of Eisner nominations, with a multicultural cast of tough-as-nails women who all fight for their own honor, and this is a series to watch out for." - Booklist

"It's ambitious and challenging (two qualities that are not often valued, but that probably should be), under a façade of violence and sacrifice. Rio's art is lush and detailed, and is more than capable of keeping up with the far-reaching story." - PW

Review:

★★

What an odd series of graphic novels to review.

I didn't really care for this series. It felt all over the place and disjointed. It was hard to follow, even if conceptually it's a cool idea. There's a lot of things that are never really explained (like the narrators) that we're just meant to accept without thinking too much about.

The artwork, however, is beautiful. It's haunting and dark and eerie, and does way more than the writing does with progressing the story. Some of the panels are cool enough to be prints in their own right, in my opinion.

I don't know how many of these books there are (note: a quick look on Goodreads tells me that in fact there are ten volumes), but I have absolutely no interest in reading any more of these. While the feminist-gothic-spaghetti western type plot seems like a good idea in theory, it falls short on every level, and doesn't really get to the nitty gritty of any of these categories. It's just sort of.... Artsy and different solely for the purpose of being artsy and different. The characters aren't given much depth, so it's hard to feel attached to them, no matter how cool their artwork is.

I'm not really sure who I recommend these books to. If you like westerns with a slight gothic flourish or dark-inspired graphic novels, this might be for you.

Review: If You Were Me and Lived In...Renaissance Italy by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me and Lived In...Renaissance Italy
Series: If You Were Me and Lived In...
Author: Carole P. Roman
Artist: Silvia Brunetti
Format: Paperback, 58 pages
Pub. Date: May 6th 2016
Source: Author


Book Description:

Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series. Learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient Greece, the clothes you wore in 15th century Renaissance Italy, what your name could be in Elizabethan England, and what Colonial American children did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. So get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

Review:

★★★

I think this is a great children's book series that overall does a good job of introducing world history to kids. While still an okay book, this particular installment is not my favorite of the series.

There is a LOT of information here. And that's good, to a degree. But when there's a block of text compared to a small, or not detailed illustration, it becomes dry and too much like a text book.

As always, I do appreciate the glossary in the back, and the phonetic pronunciations that are sprinkled throughout the book. They're helpful, if you/r kid has not come across them before. There's also a list of famous figures from this point in time, which is a good addition.

The illustrations are really pretty- I really like the art style. I do, however, think the mix of real life photos and artwork is sort of odd and choppy.

I also really appreciated that the book was about a girl this time!

All in all, it's informative but a bit much. It's still really interesting, but a bit harder to get through.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Kawaii Doodle Class by Zainab Khan

Title: Kawaii Doodle Class: Sketching Super-Cute Tacos, Sushi, Clouds, Flowers, Monsters, Cosmetics, and More
Author: Zainab Khan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 1st 2017
Source: Publisher


Book Description:

The Japanese word kawaii translates to "cute," and this how-to book is chock-full of super-adorable images of tacos, sushi, smoothies, clouds, rainbows, cacti, doodle monsters, Christmas trees, lipsticks, teacups, and more for your adoration.

Popular kawaii artist Zainab Khan shows you how to draw 75 super-cute characters with simple step-by-step illustrations and instructions. She has also included fun search-and-find images and inspiration boards that show you how to give your characters different facial expressions and zany accessories.

Thanks to this crash course in Kawaii Doodle Class, soon you will be enhancing your notebooks, stationery, artwork, and more with your own unique kawaii world!

Review:

★★★

This is such a cute book idea. I mean look at the cover. It's pastel and adorable! I'm not really artistic, but I do consider myself a "Doodler"- that is, I sketch or draw here and there but I don't really put a lot of effort into learning how to make good art. So, this book was the perfect fit for me.

The book is divided into chapters: Adorable Food & Drinks, Lovable Nature, Cheerful Doodle Monsters, Everyday Cute, Charming Holiday Decorations, and Fun Time!

Adorable Food & Drinks includes a Popsicle, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Sushi. Lovable Nature has a planet and a succulent. Cheerful Doodle Monsters contains a cute little cast of different styled monsters. Everyday Cute has household items such as a cooking pot and a bottle of foundation, and Holiday Decorations has a Christmas stocking and an Easter Egg. Fun time has coloring pages and puzzles.

The good thing about this book is that it's simple. None of the doodles are extra complicated, and many only need a few strokes. The steps are numbered, and are written in very understandable terms. Each step is also illustrated, so you can see step by step how the illustrator made each design. I appreciate that level of detail in the writing.

Each chapter has a few blank pages so that you can practice what you've learned. This is a great idea if you have a physical copy, but loses something in a digital format (also true of the coloring pages, but I love that those were included!). There's also "get inspired" pages that show other, similar doodles from the author. I liked this, because the purpose is that hey, anything can be cute! But I was also a little bummed because I liked quite a few of these "bonus" doodles better than the ones that are in the chapter, and I'd rather they be featured. I also think it's a little weird that the author suggests that you study their facial expressions for inspiration, but they almost all have virtually identical features. It got a bit boring after awhile.

Some designs are a little too simple- like a heart or a star. Some don't really look much like the intended item (like the fried egg).

All in all, I think this is a cute book. I think it'd be a good children's gift, perhaps for a child who's just starting to get into drawing. It's also a good book if, like me, you're not really good at drawing. It'll ensure that you can at least draw a few new cute things. I enjoyed this book, but I probably won't go back to it in the future.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mini College Review: Christina Rossetti by Jan Marsh

Title: Christina Rossetti
Author: Jan Marsh
Format: Hardcover, 634 pages
Pub. Date: July 1st 1995
Source: Amazon


Book Description:

This absorbing biography recovers for readers the life of the author of "Goblin Market" and "My heart is singing like a bird", and shows that, far from being a pious and melancholy recluse, Rosetti was a complex and fascinating woman whose poetry is at last receiving the attention it deserves. Photos.

Review:

★★

This is a book that I had to read for one of my poetry courses in college.

Christina Rossetti is one of my favorite poets. I've written on her a number of times, and I was really excited to have to read this. Don't waste your time.

It's really dragging, even for a memoir. It's over 600 pages, and it certainly doesn't need to be. Granted, there's some pages with photos on them, but that doesn't make up for the dry, student thesis paper type writing that this biography has.

It's also unreliable. The author goes out of her way to insert her own opinion, presented as fact. Such as, that Christina Rossetti had some intimate relations with a family member. There's no evidence of this. While it's acceptable to bring it up as a theory, or even to write a book about how you feel that's what her writing or actions in her life suggest, it's still not fact. Because she shows a bias to some theories and ideas and not others, it makes her an unreliable narrator, so I don't know if everything else in the book is accurate either.

Unless you have to read it for a class like I did, skip it. There's better books about her life.

Soaper Short Review: Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola

Title: Pure Soapmaking
Author: Anne-Marie Faiola
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: January 8th 2016
Source: Storey Publishing LLC/Netgalley



Book Description:

The pure luxury of soaps made with coconut butter, almond oil, aloe vera, oatmeal, and green tea is one of life's little pleasures. And with the help of author Anne-Marie Faiola, it's easy to make luscious, all-natural soaps right in your own kitchen. This collection of 32 recipes ranges from simple castile bars to intricate swirls, embeds, and marbled and layered looks. Begin with a combination of skin-nourishing oils and then add blueberry puree, dandelion-infused water, almond milk, coffee grounds, mango and avocado butters, black tea, or other delicious ingredients -- and then scent your soap with pure essential oils. Step-by-step photography guides you through every stage of cold-process soapmaking.

Review:

★★★★

Soap making is something that I've always wanted to try doing. I've recently started doing wax and candles, and I was happy to get a chance to read this one. I think it's a pretty good guide.

The photography is what makes this book stand apart. It's so high definition, and so pretty. It's easy to become motivated to learn the craft when you flip through all the soap goodies that Faiola demonstrates in this book.

There's also photos for each step. Each "recipe" (is that the word when it's not food?) has photo step by step instructions that make it a good tool for the newcomer to the soap game. The instructions seem pretty straight forward.

There's also a lot of really helpful information in this book. The author explains the different kind of oils that can be used and for what purpose, what kinds of methods are used to make soaps, what scents can be used, and what dyes are best for what types of soap. As someone who doesn't know a lot of information like this, it was much appreciated.

That being said.... I know this is designed as a beginner's guide, but I still thought it was a bit over my head. It was intimidating. I feel like I needed things a bit more broken down, and a bit less complex. I'm sure this is just me- I'm notoriously bad at arts projects. But, I didn't walk away going "YES I CAN MAKE THE SOAPS!", but instead "Oh so that's how it works.... Maybe I should google Soap Making for Dummies".

I think that for crafty people, this is probably a great guide. I think it'd be a good gift to give to people who enjoy DIY and craft projects.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mini Review: How to Draw Tattoo Style by Andy Fish & Veronica Hebard

Title: How to Draw Tattoo Style
Authors: Andy Fish & Veronica Hebard
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 18th 2015
Source: Dover Publications


Book Description:

A great tattoo starts with a great tattoo drawing. Whether you want to become the next big tattoo artist, want to perfect a design for yourself, or just like to create new and original tattoo art, How to Draw Tattoo Style is the book for you. Filled with fascinating historical background and designs that range from "old school" nautical motifs to tribal and Oriental styles, the book offers expert tips on creating professional tattoo flash of skulls, hearts, dragons, and other images. You'll be drawing terrific tattoos in no time!

Review:

★★

This book wasn't what I wanted it to be.

When I see the words "how to draw" in a book title, I assume that it's beginner friendly. Because you know, it's going to teach you how to draw something. This is not that book. It's not very good for beginners; it assumes you already have preexisting artistic talent. Which I mean, I can draw more than stick figures, but I'm certainly no artist. This is a book that is good for those looking to shift their drawing style tattoos, or to those looking to hone their talents.

So, this book was not what I was anticipating.

It was interesting learning some historical facts and stories, but I have no use for this book further than that.

If you're already good at drawing, then I'm sure you'll find this book far more useful. If you're looking for something more beginner, this isn't it. I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

Mini Double Review: Stars & Swipes and Hugs & Misses from Wilhelm Staehle!

Title: HUGS AND MISSES 30 POSTCARDS OF AWKWARD ROMANCE
Author: Wilhelm Staehle
Format: paperback, 30 pages
Pub. Date: December 3rd 2014
Source: Quirk Books












Title: STARS AND SWIPES 30 POSTCARDS OF AWKWARD AMERICANA
Author: Wilhelm Staehle
Format: paperback, 30 pages
Pub. Date: December 3rd 2014
Source: Quirk Books

About the Books:

Wilhelm Staehle’s Silhouette Masterpiece Theater (silhouettemasterpiecetheater.com) is the rare Web comic that deserves to be printed. Each panel in the popular weekly strip features a painstakingly detailed etching carved from a beautiful painting; the results are gorgeous and very funny.

These two postcard books feature some of Staehle’s finest work. Hugs and Misses is a terrific Valentine’s Day gift, full of lovelorn ladies, roguish gentlemen, renegade Cupids, and indecent proposals. Stars and Swipes offers a hilarious vision of classic Americana, with farcical frontiersmen, prattling presidents, and other all-American oddities.

Review:

★★★★

I have to say, these little books are super fun. I haven't sent snail mail, save for Christmas cards, in a long while but I can say with complete honesty that there are poor lucky souls out there who will be receiving post cards from me in the mail thanks to these books.

The artwork for both books is really pretty, but it is surely enhanced by the great humor that's brought to the cards within it.

Hugs and Misses is a collection that is perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day (still time to order, by the way), full of romantic puns and jokes and pretty artwork to match each awkward moment. There are 30 postcards in here, waiting to be shipped to your man or lady friend.

But, if romance isn't your thing, Staehle has a second postcard book called Stars and Swipes which features the same lovely art style and sense of humor with thirty postcards full of hilarious moments of Americana and patriotic laughs. I have a few friends that are history majors who I know will be getting a card or too in their mailbox.

These are unique little books that are perfect for that awkward geek in your life, or for yourself if you wish to send them out to your friends to brighten their day one joke at a time.

Thanks so much to Quirk Books for my copies in exchange for my honest review!

Stalk the Books:

Buy them here:

Hugs and Misses and Stars and Swipes.

Birthday Blogoversary Fangirl Bash Part One: Review of The Legend of Candy Claws by Aurelio Voltaire & GIVEAWAY!

Hello there my lovely readers. I'm kicking off a week of birthday and blogoversary fun today! My birthday is this week, and this month also marks a few years into blogging! Yay! Today's post I'm also helping to celebrate the birthday of my absolute favorite musician: Aurelio Voltaire. If you're a regular follower of my blog, that name should be familiar. I've asked for your funding help for his latest album, I've reviewed his books, and I've gushed about his concerts.

Now, he holds a special place in my heart for a few different reasons. One of them is that his music is actually what helped me and my girlfriend become friends. She was the only person I'd spoken to who'd heard of him and we discussed his music for hours. Another and more personal one is that his music helped to save my life.

I've suffered from depression for over a decade, since I was about twelve. Even then, that's only a guess as to how far back I remember it. The thing about depression is that unless you have it, you never can quite understand the toll it takes. I had friends at that age and earlier who meant the world to me, but they never quite understood, not exactly. My dad left on my birthday when I was thirteen, and it just got worse. It was the first time I remember feeling utterly alone, even when I was in a room full of people that I knew (then and now) cared about me. People kept saying "It gets better, it gets better" but have you ever said a word so often it sounds foreign to you and you don't know what it means? That's all I felt about this phrase. I struggled with self-harm. They say it's for attention. "They". But I struggled alone, making no marks visible.

I stopped caring about school and my friends. I went from the honor roll and the top of my class to F's and D's. I started camping out on the internet and talking to people on there (my now girlfriend among them), grasping at straws for someone to understand. A friend recommended in a passing conversation that I should check out a magazine called Gothic Beauty. I fell in love with this publication. It's full of music reviews and interviews and fashion and so, so much more. It was in one of these issues that I came across an interview with Voltaire. I made a habit of listening to every band featured to see if I liked them or not, and I loved Voltaire from the very first song I bought:



And I have been a listener ever since. His humor, beautiful voice, and lyrics that I related to became an integral part of my life. While I still have depression, and I have had many more ups and downs in my life, one thing that has remained constant is my love of his music. I have gone to see him twice in concert now, and at the most recent one (in November), my partner had to actually hold my hand because of the impact of one of his unreleased songs: "I Want to Hurt Whoever Hurt You." (Voltaire if you're reading this and this isn't the title, sorry!). She has told me those exact words and though it is a song personal to Voltaire himself, it struck us as well. I really don't have words to describe the impact, so I guess I'll just leave it at this:

Thank you, Captain. I hope you have a positively splendid birthday.

Now I promise, we're getting happier. Voltaire is a jack of all trades. He has done work doing stop motion animation, music, toy design, comic books, games, books, and probably way more things that I'm going to remember once I hit "submit".

About the Book:

But today, I'm going to be reviewing his latest book, the Legend of Candy Claws. I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of it for Christmas (thank you Emily).

Title: The Legend of Candy Claws
Author: Aurelio Voltaire
Illustrator: Shamine King
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: December 25, 2014
Source: Gifted by Emily
Buy it by clicking here


Book Description:

A giant black bat takes candy from bullies on Halloween and delivers it to good little boys and girls on Christmas in this anti-bullying tale for children of all ages.

Review:

★★★★★

Before I even began reading the story, I was touched by the dedication to Sophie Lancaster. For those of you unfamiliar, she was a young women who was beaten to death by three teenage boys because she was goth. It was a story that broke my heart, and the hearts of many others, when I heard about it. It impacted so many "scenes", goth included, and she deserves a book about anti-bullying in her honor. Here's to you, Sophie.

Now for the book itself. The cover and artwork throughout the book is absolutely gorgeous. It's well detailed with great coloring and goes perfectly with the text on the page. I was previously unfamiliar with Shamine King's artwork, but I'm definitely a fan of hers now.

This book is written in rhyme, as (in my humble opinion) all Christmas stories should be. It gives the book a great rhythm and helps to keep you sucked into the book. The story telling is rich and easy to relate to- I think we have all felt like an outcast at least once in our lives, or have gotten picked on for being different. This book gives a positive message that I think we all need to hear once in a while: Hey. You're different. And you know what? That makes you wonderful. Don't listen to those who want to bring you down, because you can be happy and free without them.

I think we all lose sight of that sometimes.

I think that kids and adults alike will love this story, and I recommend it to everyone looking for a richly illustrated tale of both Christmas and Halloween in the spirit of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Giveaway:

To help celebrate, I'm going to be giving away an Amazon copy of another one of Voltaire's books, The Call of the Jersey Devil. You can read my review of it by clicking here.



This giveaway is open to anyone who can receive gifted Kindle ebooks over the age of 16. Additional rules can be found on the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B. Hudspeth

Title: The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black
Author: E.B. Hudspeth
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
Pub. Date: May 21st 2013
Source: Quirk Books


Book Description via Goodreads:

Philadelphia, the late 1870s. A city of gas lamps, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages—and home to the controversial surgeon Dr. Spencer Black. The son of a grave robber, young Dr. Black studies at Philadelphia’s esteemed Academy of Medicine, where he develops an unconventional hypothesis: What if the world’s most celebrated mythological beasts—mermaids, minotaurs, and satyrs—were in fact the evolutionary ancestors of humankind?

The Resurrectionist offers two extraordinary books in one. The first is a fictional biography of Dr. Spencer Black, from a childhood spent exhuming corpses through his medical training, his travels with carnivals, and the mysterious disappearance at the end of his life. The second book is Black’s magnum opus: The Codex Extinct Animalia, a Gray’s Anatomy for mythological beasts—dragons, centaurs, Pegasus, Cerberus—all rendered in meticulously detailed anatomical illustrations. You need only look at these images to realize they are the work of a madman. The Resurrectionist tells his story.

Review:

★★★★★

This book is nothing at all like I expected, and I mean that in the best possible sense. I think that The Resurrectionist is a book that all lovers of Gothic literature, the macabre, horror, and fantastical creatures will devour if they get their claws into it.

A beautiful hardcover edition, The Resurrectionist is divided into two parts. The first part reads like a text book biography of the fictional scholar Dr. Spencer Black. It narrates his unusual upbringing and how it influenced his studies as he got older and more educated. It chronicles his descent into a more bizarre lifestyle involving freak show-esque performances in travelling shows and circuses as well as his experimentation on animals and humans alike in order to piece together his theory of evolution: that the creatures we know today as myth once existed and that humans and animals breathing now are ancestors of these elegant beasts.

The first part of this book is fascinating in and of itself because it's written with such detail and precision- including dated diary entries, circus flyers, and letters of correspondence- that if I didn't know better I would swear to you that this was a well researched non-fictional account of a doctor's life. From the first few pages, when you learn that his father was a grave robber, the book continues with this really dark, creepy tone to it reminiscent of Poe. It was almost like a car crash: his life is so bizarre and almost horrifying that you hesitate to turn the page, and yet you can't quite seem to turn away either.

The second part of the book is the final research of Dr. Black: The Codex Extinct Animalia. The art in this section of this book is absolutely phenomenal. It is here that Black explains the so-called method to his madness: the evolutionary ties and the anatomical make up of fantasy creatures. From the hellhound Cerberus to harpies and centaurs, each creature is given multiple pages of medical artwork that give up close examinations of the skeletal structures, muscle make up, and other traits of the animals. It looks like a medical text book, but with mythical beings, and I absolutely loved it. So much thought, work, and effort had to go into making these illustrations. I would totally hang a few of them up in my room (then again, my room is decorated in the Goth style, so that may just be me).

This book is a quick one to read but a slow one to absorb and is filled to the brim with equal dashes of horror and fantasy. I'd really recommend it to those who enjoy the Gothic genre, historical history, fantasy, horror, or realistic fiction. Thank you so much to Quirk Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Scars & Stripes: The Culture of Modern Roller Derby!

Title: Scars & Stripes: The Culture of Modern Roller Derby
Authors:Andréanna Seymore, Timothy Travaglini
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 10th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing


Book Description via Goodreads:

Join photographer and skater Andreanna Seymore on her fearless journey through the world of roller derby, beginning with her serendipitous introduction to the sport in 2008. Modern roller derby is a vibrant, empowering, and revolutionary movement transitioning from obscure subculture to mainstream pastime on both a national, as well as global, stage. Action-packed and emotionally provocative photographs taken over a five-year period reveal the joy, pain, and dedication of these athletes on and off the track. Enriched by riveting and often touching commentary from nearly one hundred skaters, coaches, fans, and referees, this book captures the daring, entrepreneurial spirit of the participants, the extraordinary bonds that form, and the invigorating and infectious fanaticism that characterizes every bout. An increasing number of male, co-ed, and junior leagues all share a strong, do-it-yourself ethic that combines fierce athleticism with elements from punk, camp, and third-wave feminist aesthetics. In part because of this non-discriminatory nature, roller derby is currently the fastest growing sport in America.

Review:

★★★★★

I've always had a fascination with roller derby. Maybe it's because it's a sport where girls are encouraged to be strong and bad ass. Maybe it's because I have a preference for fashion that involves fishnets and bright makeup. Or maybe it's got to do with my love of names that involve a sharp pun. Regardless, I've always been interested in derby culture. In fact, once my local team hosts "fresh meat" auditions, I have every intention of going and getting involved. When Scars and Stripes came onto my radar, I knew I needed it ASAP. I'm glad it lived up to my hopes.

This book gives a great, uncommon insight into the derby world, glimpses that most "outsiders" don't get a chance to see. It includes behind the scenes stories and photographs of both male and female derby skaters. From icing bruises, to Jell-o wrestling, to national championship victories and drinks with the team, this gives an honest and heartfelt look at one of the most underrated (in my humble opinion) sports around today. I really loved hearing what all the skaters had to share. They have great memories and fierce loyalty and dedication. It was so cool to read about. I liked that a lot of ages, teams, genders, and stories were represented in this book, giving the book a well-rounded feel.

And then of course there's the photography, which is absolutely phenomenal. The colors, the shots, the stories the photographer is able to tell with her pictures is amazing. They gave great insight and illustrated the skaters' stories well. It made this book the kind of book that I would come back and flip through over and over again. In addition to being a great story told about the life of roller derby skaters, it's also a work of art. I was blown away.

If you're interested in roller derby, involved in it, or just want to look at some stunning photography, Stars and Stripes is the book for you. Thanks to Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mini Holiday Review: Christmas at Historic Houses by Patricia Hart McMillan, Katharine Kaye McMillan

Title: Christmas at Historic Houses
Authors: Patricia Hart McMillan, Katharine Kaye McMillan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 19th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

History is brought to life in many historic houses, especially at Christmas time, when special decorations help to welcome the social season and visiting guests. In this revised second edition, learn history and local customs through engaging text and over 420 colour photographs. Costumed guides interpret Christmas traditions in some of the thirty specially decorated houses that are featured from across America. Both magnificent estates and simple residences offer a variety of styles, tastes, and ideas to inspire your own celebrations. See preserved buildings with illuminated gardens, inviting dining halls, and stunning interiors. Enjoy the many efforts on display here that help to make the Christmas season a magical time of sharing, caring, and gratitude.

★★★★

Christmas at Historic Houses is the kind of book that I imagine will adorn many coffee tables and bookshelves during the holiday house party season. Part history book, part photography book, and completely Christmassy, this book is stunning to flip through and really interesting to read.

As the title suggests, this is a book that features Christmas at historical houses. There's photographs included of these brilliant houses decorated so beautifully for Christmas. It put me properly in the holiday spirit- I wanted to somehow manage to decorate my tiny little dorm room with the panache and awe that these houses have.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found this book to be full of so much more than pictures. For each house, there are details about the history of the property as well as the architecture/design of the houses. There's also stories of the Christmas traditions that have taken place there or of the people who have made that house what it is. It gives off a warm and cozy, reading by the fireplace sort of story-telling that is easy to sink into and interesting to learn about, without it being too much like a text book.

Overall, this is a good book for those who need a little jumpstart into the holiday spirit, want to look at stunning houses, or want to learn a little more about Christmas traditions. Thanks to Schiffer Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holiday Review: Glitterville's Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!

Title: Glitterville's Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!
Author: Stephen Brown
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 9th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

Have yourself a Glittery Little Christmas -- with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful projects from the Craft Elves at Glitterville!

Following the success of Glitterville's Handmade Halloween, Glitterville is back for the sparkliest holiday of all! Glitterville's Handmade Christmas is as bursting as a mantle-hung stocking with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful craft projects that will fill your home with sleighfuls of cheer. Hundreds of beautiful, easy-to-follow, step-by-step full-color photos and how-tos make the crafting fun and the results foolproof. From a Jolly Dolly Holly Wreath or a charming Glittery Village you can nestle into its own Sparkle Forest, to the frostiest Magic Snow and the jolliest pine-cone-bodied Glitter Gnome, "yule" find everything you need to make your home glisten and shine this holiday season!

★★★★

When I saw this book, I thought it would be a fun way for my girlfriend and I to do something Christmassy and fun together. This book is filled with adorable projects that I would love to have in my home. Sadly though, I think I'll leave it to her to make the designs from this book. I don't think I have the chops.

This book contains twenty crafts for the winter season that I absolutely love. There is so much glitter, y'all, and I love it. The instructions are step by step, and fully illustrated so that you can follow along with the pictures to ensure that your crafts are coming along nicely. There are also a lot of techniques used in this book. The author provides steps for these too, but as an un-crafty person, some of them, like using a sewing machine, just aren't in the cards. These designs are too cute but there are things like sculpting faces or painting them that, again as a non-crafty person, I don't think mine would come out quite the same as the author intended.

That all being said, my girlfriend is the artistic one between us and she didn't have a problem with any of the skills or techniques that the book called for.

The designs that I thought were the cutest (though it is super hard to pick) are the Glitzen the Reindeer Candy Box, Nutty as a Fruitcake Party Hat & Frosty Folly on a Swing.

This book gets four stars from me because the designs are glittery and adorable and fantastic, the steps are clear and fully illustrated, and the techniques are well explained, but it also comes with a warning: If you are non-artistic or new to crafting, proceed with caution. This seems more like an intermediate level book.

Thanks to Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: International Steampunk Fashions

Title: International Steampunk Fashions
Author: Victoriana Lady Lisa
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 28th 2013
Source: Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

★★★★★

Five stars.

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International Steampunk Fashions is a photography/art book that highlights the style of steampunk. From corsets and suits to brooches and top hats, this book features countless pictures and pieces to inspire thoughts of fantasy and the Victorian age.

At the beginning of this book, time is devoted to explaining what steampunk is as a style of fashion, but also how it stemmed from literature. Information is given on how things like gears and other "typical" steampunk trends came into play, making the first few pages a great introduction to those who are unfamiliar, and a good brush up for those who are.

The pages that follow feature models wearing their steampunk best, representing several countries and models of every gender, race, and size. The photographs are stunning. Being a long time fan of steampunk fashion myself, I was really excited to see two of my favorite models- Kato and Ophelia Overdose- within the book. There's also a section dedicated to jewelry, accessories, and top hats that offer up close pictures of the intricate designs that these artists and designers put into their craft. It's stunning, and I sincerely wish I was that creative.

At the end of the book, there's a section filled with biographies, containing further contact information about models, photographers, designers, artists, performers, musicians, and everything in between. There's also a reference section full of websites to visit, so if International Steampunk Fashion lit your curiosity for all things steampunk, the author has made it east for you to access more.

This is a book I would love to have on my shelf. The photography and artwork are stunning, I'd definitely look at it for fashion inspiration, and writing inspiration too. This is a must have for fans of the genre, and those interested in fantasy and fashion. Thanks to Netgalley and Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. for my copy.

Review: Expressing the Inner Wild

Title: Expressing the Inner Wild: Tattoos, Piercings, Jewelry, and Other Body Art
Author: Stephen G. Gordon
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: January 1 2014
Source: Netgalley

★★

Two stars.

I saw the striking cover of this book, and then I read the name, and I knew this was a book that I'd have to read. I'm no stranger to piercings, having had eight over the course of my 21 years so far. And, though I haven't gotten any tattoos, I adore them (and my girlfriend has a few too). I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but I know that I was left wanting a more thorough book.

This book aims to teach a history of sorts of how certain "modern" fashions started, and to illustrate that they're not really modern at all. Things like gauges, scarrification, tattoos, and even crazy hair styles. These brief histories were interesting, but I felt that they were really vague: too little information was given. I'd love to read a more extensive history, but because the history was brought around in little shallow segments, I was left with a lot of little tidbits but no vital information.

This book uses pop culture to convey fashions and trends in body art and modifications, which makes complete sense. Rock stars have been getting inked for decades, and for reasons that baffle me Lady Gaga's wardrobe is always at the heart of buzzing on news sites and gossip sites alike. However, I felt that this book had a bit of a passe vibe to it, like someone's parent was trying to tell me about why I like what I like. It was weird and I got a bit rebellious towards the idea, like "No, that's NOT why I do that!"

The pages are full of color and pictures, which made it an easy to read collection, but it came across more like a few pages of a teen magazine than a stand alone publication. I'd flip through this on my way to reading about other things, but I was disappointed overall by what this book had to say.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this.

Review: Bullying Under Attack

Title: Bullying Under Attack: True Stories Written by Teen Victims, Bullies & Bystanders
Authors: John Meyer, Emily Sperber, Heather Alexander, Stephanie H. Meyer
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 3rd 2013
Source: Netgalley & HCI Books

★★★★

Four and a half stars.

Bullying Under Attack: True Stories Written by Teen Victims, Bullies & Bystanders is a collection of real life stories put together by the publishers of TeenInk magazine. This book approaches a hot button issue, bullying, with a three prong approach, featuring stories from the view points of all three parties- the bully, the victim, and the not so innocent bystanders.

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I have to say, no matter how much I read about bullying, be it cyber, physical, or otherwise, I am always blown away. I'm a logical person. I know that these things go on in the world, unfortunately. But books such as this one help me realize how much I took a safe learning space for granted. Teens and kids all over the United States, and the world, are dreading going to school on Monday because it's another week of hell. I can't imagine that feeling, since school was always my safe haven. I'm thankful now, in hindsight, that the (shockingly) public schools that I went to never really tolerated bullying. I'm not going to be so bold as to say it didn't happen at all. Sure it did. But we were always relatively vocal, or maybe our bullies were weak. I'm not really sure.

Reading the stories of these teens who are brave enough to share their stories with the public also makes me grateful that my classmates never chose me as a target, since I was a perfect one- an overweight pagan LGBT goth who smoked and was poor. I never let any of those things define me, and no one else tried to make them define me, and it makes the harsh reality of bullying so much more dramatic for me. Have I been called fat or a dyke on occasion? Sure. But nothing to what these kids have faced.

In addition to narratives about bullying, Bullying Under Attack also features poetry, photography, and other forms of art. I often found these just as sad as the stories, the pain of those who put it to canvas is evident.

What really broke my heart is how many of these stories center around LGBT kids. It's a fact that LGBT kids are more often bullied than their straight peers, but to hear these stories straight from the victims' mouth is an entirely different experience. I have to take this space to say to anyone being bullied, LGBT or otherwise, that it does get better. And if you happen to be a teacher, please take it seriously. The amount of accounts in this collection that have teachers and principals who ignore their suffering is deplorable.

Though this book contains a lot of pain and confession, there is a unified theme of these stories: inspiration. There are victims that stand up for themselves, bystanders who realized how much they were hurting people by staying silent, and bullies that realize how immature and hurtful they were and stop their bullying ways. It carries a message of unity, that if everyone just communicates and works together, bullying can stop and everyone can feel safe.

At the end of this book, there is an extensive list of organizations that readers can turn to if they are being bullied to get help or even just realize that they're not alone. This list also includes books and movies on the topic of bullying. I think this is a very helpful resource to include, and sincerely hope that those who need it will utilize it.

I also found that this book had great variety. In addition to the different "roles" of bullying that were represented, things such as orientation, race, and religion were also well spread throughout the collection, making it a well-rounded book of narratives.

The only thing that I had a hang up with is that some of the submissions included in this collection seemed to be less of stories and more along the lines of just statements of opposing bullying. While I agree wholeheartedly that bullying needs to stop, those bits didn't really add any insight and kind of broke the flow of the other submissions.

Anyone who was every bullied can learn something from this book. Anyone who has bullied can learn something from this book. Anyone thinking that they're innocent while staying quiet can learn something from this book. I especially recommend it for high schoolers, middle schoolers, and teachers of any grade level. Bullying is serious. Words you shoot out without thinking can stay with someone for life. And once you post something on the internet it's there forever. Cyberbullying is still bullying. This book contains some serious topics like suicide, self-harm, sexuality, eating disorders, and mild profanity.

Thanks to Netgalley and HCI Books for my copy, and thanks to the contributors of this book. You're all very strong for telling your stories to the nation.