Rei'sa al Ghul; life, books, tea and other things!

Title: The Sculptor

Author: Scott McCloud

Series: No.

Format: ARC

Page Count: 496

Publisher: First Second

Age Range: 17+

Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy/Art/

Description on Goodreads: 

David Smith is giving his life for his art—literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding  what  to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the 11th hour isn't making it any easier! 

This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous, street-level portrait of the world's greatest city. It's about the small, warm, human moments of everyday life…and the great surging forces that lie just under the surface. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work; now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking, funny, and unforgettable new work.

Review: 

Before I state my review, I would like to say I recieved this for an honest review.

OH. MY. GOD. I did NOT go into this thinking this, the last book I read in 2014 would be the best damn thing I read all year round. This book was a roller coaster of emotions. 

 

I recieved my ARC, I believe a little bit before Christmas. I was not expecting anything out of this book, because I had barely remembered requesting it! 

David Smith is one sad man, lonely man. An artist, unappreciated. After having lost damn near everything; (his family, his job, home, friends, etc) I don't blame him for making a deal with death... He has 200 days left on this Earth to make his art, his name known, whatever he desires!... but in exchange he will die after that limited time... even if he failed. He could even die before then. ...but, he but he soon regrets it after meeting his Angel; Meg. The one person who could make him regret ever making that choice.

This tale was years in the making. Pulled painstakingly from the heart of Mr. McCloud, The Sculptor is nothing short of pure genius. It's raw, emotional, something that will live on through the ages. I see it as being timeless even! I identified with both Meg and David for many, many reasons. Both surface and personal.

Beautifully drawn and elegantly written, this book deserves to be in every persons personal library. Even if you are not a fan of graphic novels.

My Rating: 5/5

Would I/Who would I recommend it (too): Everyone (that is over the age of 17+)

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22040598-the-sculptor

Title: Afterworlds

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Series: No. At least for now.

Format: eARC

Page Count: US Hardcover: 599

Publisher: Simon Pulse; Simon and Schuster

Age Range: 16+

Genre: Half Contemporary, half fantasy...ish.

Description on Goodreads:

Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings… 

Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

Review:

Okay. So, this took me a while. I really can't say too much, as it would be spoilery. No one wants that. While there is a lot of things in the book I respect... I only liked half to be honest. The Darcy half. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea with Lizzie... but I fell for Darcy.. and someone else. I would love to learn more about HALF the story...  As I said, I really do not want to get into this too much. 

I feel the book was too hyped. Half of it was a real let down for me. I almost just DNF'd the Lizzie parts. So, to be fair.. I can only really give two and a half. 

I wasn't the biggest Uglies fan, but I will not give up on Scott. I love his voice and style... Maybe it's just me.

My Rating: 2.5/5

Would I/Who would I recommend it (too): I would still recommend it to people... but I just wouldn't read it again unless it was just the Darcy parts. 

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18367581-afterworlds?from_search=true