The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect 5 stars for the The Tattooist of Auschwitz! This book follows the true story of Slovakians Lale and Gita who experienced spending several years in the Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust period. Lale was a linguist; a Jew; prisoner 34902; and was a Tetovierer (tattooist in German) in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Birkenau, Poland.

I'm always fascinated on this darkest period of the history, hence I read books that contains the said theme whenever I have the chance. Reading another memoir of one of the survivors made me envisioned what happened to the prisoners of Nazi Germany. However, Lale and Gita were very lucky to survived and after the liberation, they had a better life when they migrated to the land down under.

If you are like me who are into reading memoir and anything about the Holocaust, you should try to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz because I'm certain that you will also like it.

Entropy by Aaron Costain

Entropy by Aaron Costain
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I found this graphic novel a little bit odd. While reading this, I thought that this could be religious in theme because of some of the dialogues about God and His creations.


After I'm through reading this, I don't really know what the message it wants to impart. It just end abruptly and I don't know exactly what is it about or what happened in the ending signifies.

The Castoffs, V.2: Into The Wastelands by M.K. Reed

The Castoffs, V.2: Into The Wastelands by M.K. Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never had a chance to check the 1st volume of this comic series, that's why I'm not familiar with the story and the characters. I'm torn on giving this either 3 or 4 stars, but I chose to give 4 stars because Duncan, the new addition to their adventure, looks like a fun character to watch out.

The first quarter of this 2nd volume has a slow pace that's why I got a little bored while reading it, but the latter part is where the exciting scenes are. I would be delighted if only I could also see the 1st issue, and I'm also anticipating the 3rd installment of this series.

Saigon Calling: London 1963-75 by Marcelino Truong

Saigon Calling: London 1963-75 by Marcelino Truong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This graphic novel is the continuation to Marceline Truong's experience during the Vietnam War. The author and his parents were really fortunate that they lived in London while Vietnam was still at war.

Despite that they were away from their homeland, they were still affected by the news that they received not only from the media, but from their relatives and friends they left in Vietnam.

This second volume of Truong's graphic novel cited a comprehensive details about the latter years of the war. I remember watching a local documentary about the Vietnamese boat people who were helped by our country, and the government chose to settled them in the Palawan Island during that time. There were some Vietnamese who chose to remained here even after the war; while others migrated to other countries such as Canada, Europe and in U.S.

After the so-called liberation, there were reeducation or concentration camps in Vietnam that were hidden from the West, or from the big and influential countries such as the U.S, and from the media. I never knew about this before, but because of this graphic novel, I learnt that Vietnam was still not fully liberated then and that it took several more years before it happened.

Such a Lovely Little War: Saigon 1961-63 by Marcelino Truong

Such a Lovely Little War: Saigon 1961-63 by Marcelino Truong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't have even the slightest idea about the history of the Vietnam war. Through this graphic novel of Marceline Truong, I have learnt a lot on what really happened during that time.

As this was written from a Vietnamese perspective and from whom that had relatives who were in the government then, I reckon that the accounts of what happened were quite detailed and fact-based.

Hero Cats Volume 1 by Kyle Puttkammer

Hero Cats Volume 1 by Kyle Puttkammer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Probably because I'm a dog person that's why I wasn't able to appreciate fully this graphic novel. However, those who like cats will be delighted with the stories in this first book of the Hero Cats of Stellar City.


This volume compiles Chapter 1 to 6 with a bonus story from Action Lab's 2014 Halloween Comicfest Comic entitled, "Monster Movie Night." I consider The Menace of Johnny Arcado and Mystery on Campus the best stories in this installment.

Thanks to Action Lab Entertainment for the reading copy provided.

It by Stephen King

It by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was never scared of clowns because they look harmless, not until I've read this novel. Whenever I see clowns in children's party or on TV shows, I've never imagine that there will come a time that I might see them on a different perspective. No, I'm still not afraid of them, but I will become vigilant as this book reminds me that even the innocuous looking people or thing might have potentials to be wicked.

It was the very first novel of Stephen King that I've read and I didn't expect that I will enjoy reading this. My older sister was able to watched the 90's TV series adaptation of this book; she warned me that it wasn't that scary so perhaps that the book is just the same. Never had the chance to see that TV Mini-Series neither the movie version, thus I cannot compare them to the novel.

This book will undoubtedly scare anyone who reads it and I highly recommend this, either you love thriller/mystery type genre or not. It is just too long, but you will never get bored as this will make you anticipate what will come next.

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Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen

Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first time to come across Sarah Andersen's graphic novel and it never failed to made me laugh. There are some comic panels that I can relate to, but there are also some panels that I can't understand. Nonetheless, it didn't lessen the impact of how entertaining to read this.


The second half, Making Stuff in the Modern Era, is a good addition to this graphic novel; I can fully understand Andersen on her anxiety and the criticisms she encounters every now and then. I'm in the same industry also so I can identify myself to the problems the author always handles. The ending hit me on the spot and thanks for reminding me to never give up and that to always make stuff.

Honey Moon Scary Little Christmas by Sofi Benitez

Honey Moon Scary Little Christmas by Sofi Benitez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The latest book in the Honey Moon Series is about how Honey Moon wants to celebrate normal Christmas in their town of Sleep Hollow, a place where it is Halloween all year round even on Christmas. Honey Moon's school is planning to have a Nativity re-enactment on Christmas Eve, but Mayor Kligore had put up a Haunted Holiday Festival where Halloween theme Christmas is to be celebrated. Because of this, the school play is on verge of cancellation and Honey Moon wants to prevent it from happening.

Honey Moon's mother told her that there was a time on their town, before it was converted to its current setting by the Mayor, the church town had the tradition to rung its 12 golden bells on Christmas eve. This gave Honey Moon an idea to make their Christmas normal in Sleepy Hollow. Along the way, Honey Moon and her friends discovered a lot while they were digging evidences and trying to persuade the reverend to bring back the ringing of the church bells.

The Enchanted World Of Honey Moon A Scary Little Christmas is a short yet meaningful story that will teach and reminds everyone that Christmas is on the hearts of those who believe in it; not on the tangible things that we can see and touch.

Thanks to Rabbit Publishers and Netgalley for the reading copy provided.

The Ghost Of Gaudi by El Torres

The Ghost Of Gaudi by El Torres
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ghost of Gaudi is brilliantly conceptualized and written by its author, El Torres; and illustrator, Julius Alonzo Iglesias. I'm not into mystery/thrillers, but this graphic novel made me hooked into the story.


The illustrations that depicts the gruesome scenes to what happened to the victims, especially on Ignacio Pombo, will shock readers. I didn't expect those horrifying parts, but that's just one of the reasons that makes this astounding.

I commend both El Torres and Julius Alonzo Iglesias for coming up with this masterpiece. I highly recommend this to anyone who are fans of Antoni Gaudi, mystery/thriller genre, and to those who love reading graphic novels.

Nothing Happens in This Book by Judy Ann Sadler

Nothing Happens in This Book by Judy Ann Sadler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This children's story has a cute story, but the moral lesson is quite vague. I read this for the second time; I have to think carefully after, so I can be able to come up with what message this book wants to say.

I suppose that it's up to the reader's comprehension on how he or she can interpret the story. And from what I understand, it is about how honesty — to return things to their rightful owner just like the boy did.

Another lesson hidden is instead of being pessimistic, just like what was shown by the boy in the first part of the story, try to be positive in life. The boy kept on saying that nothing happens in this book at first. But when the reader have decided to turn the pages, the story progressed and the boy continued his journey. And in the end, something really happened in the book contrary to the boy's statement in the beginning.

Not what I've expected from a children's story book; I think kids will have a hard time understanding what the story is all about. However, kids will love this story if only there's the guidance of parents or teachers to explain to them.

Blacksmith's Song by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk

Blacksmith's Song by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
My rating: ★★★★★

Blacksmith's Song narrates the story of the black slavery in the past, and on how these enslaved people manage to escape from their oppressors. According to the author, they used several techniques on how to communicate furtively about methods of escaping — one of this might be the use of using the blacksmith's hammer.



On the other, Anna Rich is the illustrator of the exquisite artworks in this picture book. I assume that Rich used oil paint because of the texture of the paintings. She vividly rendered the story of the blacksmith and his family in this book.



There was no longer black slavery at present time, but slavery may still be existing in other parts of the world. This picture storybook is a reminder and an eye-opener on how wicked slavery was, and that it should be destroyed completely.

My Secret Dog by Tom Alexander

My Secret Dog by Tom Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The children's book My Secret Dog of Tom Alexander is about the story of a little girl who wants to have a dog. One day, a dog followed her at home; she end up keeping a secret from her mom and the people around her that she adopted the said dog.

I like how this short and adorable story teaches kids to try not to keep a secret from their parents, particularly stuff like this. The ending is cute and funny, but it is a little disappointing that the girl still haven't learnt her lesson.

I'm not sure if the ARC sent by the publisher is the final look of the book. I'm just concern with how dull the appearance of the book because the font and the illustrations are both in black. I think that the illustrator must put a color on those stick-figure drawings so it will be more appealing to the young readers.

I'm not a psychiatrist or a psychology major, but based from what I've learnt from Psychology subject way back in college, kids are attracted to books that colorful because it is eye-catching and it stimulates brain activity. If the author and the publisher could only make this livelier, a lot of kids will adore this story book.

Prometheus: Life and Death

Prometheus: Life and Death by Dan Abnett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maybe because this is the second volume in the Life and Death series that I wasn't able to fully appreciate the story. I've watched the 1986 movie Aliens and I can't help myself from comparing this graphic novel to that. The only similarity I could point out is how the aliens look alike, but the movie was beyond petrifying than this.





Thanks to Dark Horse Books and Random House for the reading copy provided.

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Harry Moon Harry's Christmas Carol Color Edition

Harry Moon Harry's Christmas Carol Color Edition by Mark Andrew Poe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For fans of the Harry Moon book series, this is a great addition to your collection. Harry Moon Harry's Christmas Carol Color Edition reminds us that good still wins over evil, and that the Christmas spirit is in the hearts of those who believe in it. It is a short read and the accompanying illustrations will delight anyone who read this.

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The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What made this novel really amazing is on how excellent Patricia A. McKillip wrote this. The author used her skill to write majestic words to describe each characters and places, as well as breathtaking prose to narrate the story.

If I'm not mistaken, this book was first published four decades ago and that it also won the World Fantasy Award for Novel on 1975. It wouldn't be winning an award if it's not good, right? McKillip utilized her eloquence that made the story of Sybel, Tam, Coren, and of the beasts a truly astounding novel that everyone must read.

Call of Duty: Zombies by Justin Jordan

Call of Duty: Zombies by Justin Jordan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What would your reaction be if you encounter nasty zombies that never die because they keep on generating? And what's more is that someone is commanding them on what to do! It's not only terrible, but it's indeed horrifying!



At least the group of Stulinger, Russman, Marlton, and Misty were still in their state of mind when they'd encountered these unusual horde of zombies. In the end, could this four be safe with Stunlinger's so-called friend who was trying to help them, or they were just being used?

Hiznobyuti by Claude Ponti

Hiznobyuti by Claude Ponti
My rating: ★★★★

Hiznobyuti is a fun and inspirational story, yet there are poignant parts as well. The book is about the boy called Hiznobyuti who was born differently from his family because of his facial feature.

The first part of the story when Hiznobyuti's family was not treating him was really upsetting. The most heartbreaking part was when his father has decided to put bricks under the sink where Hiznobyuti stays.

The story teaches young kids and reminds adults to be courageous, forbearing, kind, persevering, compassionate and most especially, to be forgiving. Despite what Hisnobyuti's family did to him in the past, he learned to forgive, and even love and took care of them in the end.