Cairo by G. Willow Wilson

Title: Ciaro: a graphic novel

Author: G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker

ISBN: 9781401211400

Publisher: Vertigo

Summary:

"A stolen hookah, a spiritual underworld, and a genie on the run change the lives of five strangers forever in this modern fable set on the streets of the Middle East's largest metropolis.

Cairo interweaves the fates of a drug runner, a down-on-his-luck journalist, an American expatriate, a troubled young student, and an Istrali soldier as they race through busting present-day Cairoto find an artifact of unimaginable power, one protected by a dignified Jinn and sought by a wrathful gangster-magician. But the vastness of Africa's legendary City of Victory extends into a spiritual realm - the Undernile - and even darker powers lurk there..."

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Review:

There were certain parts of this book that really set it apart from other graphic novels (that I've read, at least). There is one part that stands out to me - it's when the Genie is teaching the boy to tap into his ability to use the sword. The way it's drawn is just very vivid and stands out to me in a way that other fantasy-graphics haven't.

I also really liked how the story takes you to another world entirely and gives an interesting perspective on politics and other issues. I'd recommend it for older graphic lovers - just because topics and such aren't really going to be of interest to the younger reader.

Other blog reviews: Here, here, and here.

Work What You Got by Stephanie Perry Moore

Title: Work What You Got (a Beta Gamma Pi novel) Author: Moore, Stephanie Perry
ISBN: 9780758225429
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp

Summary:
"Between moving off campus, gearing up to pledge a sorority, and trying to keep her faith first, Hayden Grant is about to become one very busy Beta.

College sophomore Hayden Grant and her three roommates can't wait to join Beta Gamma Pi sorority. At least that's what Hayden thought - until Myra, Bridget, and Chandra announce a change of plans. Can Hayden and her girls hold onto their friendship as they pursue different paths?

And speaking of pursuit, Hayden's caught they eye of Creed, a hottie she met her first year. That's just one complication. Hayden's ex-boyfriend heads the fraternity Creed's pledging. It looks like it's going to be one crazy year of trials, tribulations, and unexpected lessons-in leadership and love."
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Review:

This book was honestly more than I was bargaining for. I was hoping for some urban lit that dealt with the issues and all... but that's not really what this book is about. It's more about the drama that comes with sorority life and what that might be like. Which, of course, makes this a much more "he-said, she-said" book.

The story was pretty good. I did like the concept... but having done the sorority thing in college, it honestly brought back a bit of the animosity that went with that. I think that teen girls probably love this glimpse into the life of a college sorority and what it takes... but the book is kinda hard to wade through. The morals and life lessons weighed down the book for me. It really was a good story otherwise.

Other readers may see this totally differently, so don't take my word alone. I just don't know that I'm going to be looking for the next book in this series. There are other blog reviews out there: Here, here, and here.

Life Sucks by Jessica Abel

Title: Life Sucks

Author: Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece

ISBN: 9781596431072

Publisher: First Second

Summary:

"Life sucks when you're a baby-faced kid in LA - broke, girlfriendless, and stuck in a dead-end job. And when we're talking about Dave Miller, we really mean dead-end.

Life sucks harder when that job is a night manager at the Last Stop, LA's finest vampire-owned 24-hour convenience store, and you're facing an eternity of restocking beef jerky and blood brew for Radu, your crappy boss and vampire master.

It's bad enough that Dave pines for his days as a vegetarian, but when he finds himself competing with psychotic surfer-vamp Wes for the affections of Rosa, a beautiful mortal with a romantic fixation on the dark side, unlife really gets complicated."

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Review:

This was a very interesting take on the whole vampire theme that's overtaken the world. I've honestly never read a graphic novel that was as snarky and cynical as this one. That doesn't make it a bad book - it's just different from what I'm used to. Perhaps I should be reading more of them :).

I do love that the main character is such a wuss even after being put in a position to be on top (aka part of the vampire elite). It's just hilarious to me that the most average, working-joe's are vampires and all. And that the main "masters" are all card playing lackeys. It's just very clever and interesting.

I did want to kinda smack around the main guy - just because he couldn't get himself together. But otherwise it was a pretty good book!

I wasn't expecting to see many other reviews and such, but they were easy to find! Here, here, and here

Jet Set by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

Title: Jet Set
Author: Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman
ISBN: 9780061431777
Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary:
"I'm Lucy Peterson, and let me tell you - I don't fit in at my new boarding school in Switzerland at all. Caviar at every meal, white-tie affairs (because black-tie is so last season), trips to Geneva to pick up the latest couture, and real live royals lurking around every corner? None of that is really my speed. I'm just your average American teen, here on scholarship, ready to kick some academic and tennis butt so I can have my pick of Ivy League colleges.

Only now I'm falling all over myself to impress my crush, who just happens to be a prince. I've gotten myself tangled up in a tabloid disaster - literally - and the "it" clique on campus has decided that I'm worthy of their evil scorn. What have I gotten myself into?"
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Review:

This book was the perfect break from all of the fantasy and heavy stuff I've been reading lately. It's a great chick lit book that is very cinderella/fairy tale like. It's kinda fun to put yourself in the main character's shoes to just imagine what life would be like in a place like that. It was such a fun story and I fully plan on handing it to anyone looking for chick lit. Light, good-natured, funny at times, and overall enjoyable. Definitely grab this one :).

After looking at some other reviews online, apparently I was the only one who really liked this book. I mean, yes... it's very shallow and not-so-intense... but I really liked it. It was fun in a very unassuming, easy way. But alas, here are those other reviews...

Here, here, and here.

Hunted: A House of Night Novel by PC and Kristin Cast

Title: Hunted: A House of Night Novel

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

ISBN: 9780312379827

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:

"At the start of this heart-pounding new installment in the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey's friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren't Neferet's secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona is gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life unearths secrets Zoey doesn't want to see and truths she can't face?

On the run and holed up in Tulsa's Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well - they've even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home - but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex, Eric, but she can't stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to tryto save him from Neferet's sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?

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Review:

This is the fifth book in the House of Night series by this awesome mother/daughter team. I was a little surprised to see this title published as a hardcover book, but I'm sure it was a great move from them. Everyone I've given this series to has loved it (and as a librarian, I've given it to plenty!). Hunted is just one more great installment of this really fun vampire series.

I did notice a few typo-type errors (like, saying it was Stevie Rae's grandmother... not Zoey's)... but those are totally just nit-picky. And reading as much as I do, I kinda end up noticing those. Apparently if you look around Amazon, there are others that noticed them as well. And luckily those were the only things that bothered me. The story is solid and is - as always - full of adventure, blood, and boys :).

Per usual, I recommend this series to anyone who has loved the vampire series phenomenon going on right now. It's a perfect next step for those Meyer-lovers who need something to fill that void. So yeah! Go find it! I know at our library it is hardly on the shelf cause people keep checking it out - but try your library first! And pass it along!

Oh, and other blog reviews: Here, here, and here.