This is the second book in the Discworld Death series and I have to say I think it's the better of the two I've read so far. I find the characters a bit more connectable, a bit more real in this one than Mort. I also find that the flow of this book works better for me.

However, the story isn't quite grabbing me even though the idea is quite exciting and interesting. I'm not really sure why. I do like it and I want to see what happens but I'm glad this doesn't seem to be a long book.

Death trying to be a human and failing continues to be funny and so very sad at the same time. Windle Poons grew on me quickly as well as Modo and of course the Death of Rats. I've heard about the latter enough from Pratchett fans. I didn't realize how he came into being.

One of the most innovative and gorgeous picture books I've read, in ages! Why have I not heard of this book before?!

I cannot describe to how life-like the pictures are in this book. You simply have to see them and experience them yourself. I will say the page with an Owl coming after you and the one teaming with mice both caused me a twinge of fear.

The story of the Mont-Blanc's explosion in 1917 was mentioned in the prologue of The Unthinkable. I was so shocked when I read it, partly for the reason I'd never heard of this disaster before. Unfortunately, the only book I could find about it at the library was this, a middle grade-YA history book. Sally M. Walker did a magnificent job, however; though the text was a bit simple at times, the research and facts clearly weren't.

December 6 1917 the Mont-Blanc and Imo collided in the narrow portion of Halifax harbor. Fire quickly overwhelmed the men aboard and as it became uncontrollable, the crew abandoned the ship as the Mont-Blanc floated to Pier 6.

Because this was directly connected with Toriko Vols 9 and 10, I simply couldn't stop myself from reading this though my library does not yet have the rest of the series.

Teppei, the Gourmet Reviver, steps into the Tommyrod fight and ends it. He manages to save all the fighters while Komatsu faces a danger he's not prepared for. But hope is not lost. One last drop of Century Soup remains and with it Komatsu is tasked with recreating it.

Meanwhile, Toriko and the others are taken to Life, an island of healing, by Setsumo and her Limousine Jellyfish. While Teppei's master heals the others and starts regenerating Toriko's arms, Komatsu continues trying to recreate the soup, surprising Setsumo at how quickly he gets on. The last moments of this book are among my favorites of the series.

The gore continued for a bit but most of the book we see healing and Komatsu's growth. Between Sunny helping Toriko heal and Komatsu's coming into his own, I great enjoyed this book.

Now to wait and hope my library continues buying these.

Russell with her Holmes,

New Case comes with great promise.

Wonder what's in store?

I've detailed elsewhere what Laurie R. King's Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell series means to me. Every time a new book is announced, some of my worst impatience sets in. Finally, it arrives in my hands and I'm teleported back to a time and characters I've come to care greatly about.

At long last we learn of their time spent in Japan, which took place between The Game and Locked Rooms. As with all of King's books in this series, I found myself transported to 1920s Japan as we walked it's roads, traveled in it's packed trains, and experienced new customs. While much of the elements were known to me, her writing once again brought it to life. But she also did what I'd longed for, showed us some of Oxford.