Cress by Marissa Meyer (5 stars)

 

A lot of fun with a great cast of characters. Sci-fi fantasy fairytale retellings done well. It doesn't get much better.

 

The Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan

  The Demon's Lexicon (4 stars) 

  The Demon's Covenant (5 stars) 

  The Demon's Surrender (4 stars)

 

GAH THIS SERIES. Lots of kissing and also angst, but oh the emotions. These two brothers couldn't rip my hearts out anymore, I swear.

 

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden (4 stars)

 

So much cuteness! Think Beauty and The Beast meets a slightly Georgette Heyer Regency romance feel.

 

Delilah Dirk and The Turkish Lieutenant by Tony Cliff (4 stars)

 

A charming graphic novel, complete with lovable characters and beautiful illustrations. The atmosphere and settings were also lovely, and not something that is generally seen in the literary world here, or at least, not wherever I'm looking.

 

Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (4 stars)

 

A well-written classic actually deserving of that title. Definitely Twain's best, out of those  that I've read.

 

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (5 stars)

 

Just really brilliant and full of important points to ponder.

 

The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud (4 stars)

 

Not as good as the first book in the series, but still a good installment and lots of fun hanging out  with Lockwood and Co. Oh, and all the ghosts too.

 

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce (5 stars)

 

One of the best children's books I've ever read, and it helps that it's a bibliomaniac's dream come true.

 

 Honorable Mentions:

 

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman (4 stars)

Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick (4 stars)

 

 

 

I had fairly high expectations that were not only met but exceeded by this charming graphic novel, complete with lovable characters* and beautiful illustrations. The atmosphere and settings were also lovely, and not something that is generally seen in the literary world here, or at least, not wherever I'm looking.

Though I'm not quite sure what Delilah is wearing...a flowing skirt and a shirt wrapped partially in bandages? Nonetheless, her boots are fabulous.

*And so believable. Snarky and fed-up and cheerful; all their emotions come through their faces.

Really nice art, very intriguing and fast paced story, and excellent chemistry between Delilah and Selim; great dialogue.

It's told from Selim's POV, so while I would've loved to be in Delilah's head, it all worked out.

Effortlessly fun to read, Delilah Dirk is a fun, light weight, beautifully illustrated adventure comic, set in the Middle East of the early 19th century. I had high hopes for this book from looking at the cover, showcasing title character Delilah. On the cover, she looks like an active character, and pleased to be so, and attractive without being sexualized. It's an accurate reflection of her character within the book. Delilah is a deeply fun character to read about, a joyous swashbuckler. The Turkish lieutenant of the title, Selim, acts as her initially reluctant sidekick and the viewpoint character. It's basically a buddy book, and together Delilah and Selim remind me of Ferris Bueller and Cameron more than any other duo. And yes, it is a book that pairs an attractive man and an attractive woman together, then proceeds to make their relationship non-romantic. Sure, something may develop in later books, but here Delilah and Selim are good friends, and I like it that way.

And I really do have to mention the art, which is fantastic. Cliff's characters have great expressions, but the real stunners are his backdrops. Cliff's landscapes are simply gorgeous, a real pleasure to look at. His colors are vibrant and natural, which can be tough to pull off. There's a balance between "real life is brown" and primary color bonanza, and he hits it.

The prologue and first two chapters are available to read online.

4 to 4.5 stars

Very fun read!

Full review


Review:

What a fun read! Selim is a lieutenant in the Turkish Janissary Corps, and he’s content to be a soldier. Sure, the sultan is a blood-thirsty jerk, but Selim’s life isn’t so bad. He enjoys living a quiet life, brewing his delicious tea and keeping his head firmly attached to his neck. All of that changes when he’s given the task of acting as the translator for a new prisoner. Delilah Dirk is everything that Selim is not. She’s bold and confident, and she thrives on danger. She’s a master swordswoman, she’s traveled the world, and nothing intimidates her. When Selim relates Delilah’s boastful stories to the sultan, his peaceful life comes to a screeching halt. Delilah has arrived at the palace with one goal in mind, and that’s robbing the sultan. When she escapes, Selim is accused of being her accomplice, and suddenly he’s living a life on the run.

I enjoyed the interaction between Delilah and Selim. Delilah is like a forest fire; she is a force of nature, and if you find yourself standing against her, good luck! She is clever and resourceful, and nothing phases her. Like a cyclone heading for landfall, it’s best to just get out of her way. Selim, on the other hand, is quiet spoken, and he wants to live a long, happy, healthy life. He immediately realizes that he’s live a short, painful life if he continues hanging around with Delilah, but honor requires that he pay back the debt that he owes her. She rescued him when he was about to be executed, and while he’s rather go hide somewhere safe, his pride won’t allow him to shirk his obligations. Never mind that Delilah drags him from one deadly adventure to the next. A debt is a debt, darn it!!

I loved Selim. He thinks he knows what he wants out of life, but he really hasn’t a clue. Racing about after Delilah is one heart pounding thrill after another, and while Selim professes to dislike his new circumstances, he has to admit that there are some advantages. Fresh air, nights under the stars, the satisfaction of a good meal cooked from scratch. Delilah’s an entertaining companion, full of death-defying tales of her previous endeavors. When he’s given the opportunity to settle down and have that peaceful existence he’s longed for, he realizes that there’s something to be said for the company of a good friend.

At it’s core, Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant is the story of friendship. Sure, it’s got all of that fun sword fighting, mass destruction, and running for your life, but this is the story of two polar opposites who discover that together they make a team to be reckoned with, and that together, they make a more cohesive whole. The full-color, expressive art is just as engaging as the storyline, and the dialog is snappy and keeps the plot racing along. This is a fun read, one that’s hard to put down. I read it in one sitting, and was entertained from the first page to the last.

Grade: B+