Book Review: THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab

THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab (Tor Books, April 2023)  Trade Paperback, 448 pages 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

France, 1714: In a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. 

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. 

But everything changes when, after nearly three hundred years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

"Belief is a bit like gravity. Enough people believe a thing, and it becomes as solid and real as the ground beneath your feet. But when you're the only one holding onto an idea, a memory, a girl, it's hard to keep it from floating away." 

     V.E. Schwab is an incredibly gifted writer, capable of detailing some incredibly visual and emotional scenes, as well as clearly conveying the point-of-view of her major characters. I have not read everything in her catalog, but I believe this is a masterpiece. 

      The premise that the story revolves around is fresh and full of potential, a Faustian bargain that grants immortality while also denying the wish maker (Addie Larue) any recognition or ability to create memory for others.

Not fully realizing what she was asking for, Addie has lived for over 300 years, only able to make friends or acquaintances for as long as she remains in view. It becomes a stubborn war of endurance between wish maker and the devilish wish granter. Lonely and unable to establish any ties, she roams 1700's France (and other countries later in the story) eventually settling in New York City in 2014 when a male bookseller (Henry) surprisingly remembers her. 

     This could easily have been a longer, bloated novel had Schawb decided to chronicle Addie's life and observations through many historical events over the ages. That does occur in some significant time periods but the scenes and chapters are brief and make their points quickly. Because that is not at the heart of the novel.

     This is a romance novel, chronicling two separate and very different types of love and relationships. 

     I could only think of one way for the novel to end, and I was pleasantly surprised by the extremely satisfying solution that Schwab decided upon. Addie LaRue is inventive, clever, delightful, and unforgettable. The journey is heartbreaking and joyful at the same time. This is a novel to re-read, to share with friends, to discuss and marvel at. Brilliant.

 

Book Review: THORNHEDGE by T. Kingfisher

THORNHEDGE by T. Kingfisher (TOR Books, August 2023) Hardcover, 116 pages.  

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

There's a princess trapped in a tower. This isn't her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He's heard there's a curse here that needs breaking, but it's a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

      I've heard so much about T. Kingfisher; yet I wasn't in the mood to read a novel-length retelling of Poe and/or a long fairy tale. So, this short novella was the perfect introduction.

      Kingfisher takes familiar material and spins it into something that wears the bare bones of the original but is entirely different. This story is so much better than the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, and has a lot to say.

     It's a quick read and immensely engaging. A great way to experience this talented author.

MY WEEK IN COMICS, #4: January 28, 2024

For the last three years I have embarked on a Comics Odyssey, reading and writing reviews of comics towards an ambitious goal which I only attained on one of three attempts.  This year, I still want to read more comics and write reviews, but I’m not setting a specific goal.  I’ll just document them and number them. We’ll see how far I can go . . . . . . . .

#47  CREEPSHOW #5 (Image Comics, January 2024) “Burning Ambitions” by Saladin Ahmed and Artyom Topilin. “Keep It Fed” by David Andry & Tim Daniel with art by Matthew Roberts.  For me, this is one of the better issues of CREEPSHOW in what has been an outstanding series that recalls the old Creepshow movies and EC Comics horror magic.  Two stories about stereotypes and misconceptions that feature the burning of comics - - you can’t go wrong. The art is topnotch and helps enhance the atmosphere.

     In “Burning Ambitions” a pompous, blustering small town mayor fuels the the rage over “woke indoctrination’ in television, movies and comic books to finance his campaign for state governor. Public burnings of comic books occur as his Crusade Against Comics moves across the state’s public libraries. Until he snatches a coveted comic from the hands of a local librarian and recoils in shock at the cover and title: The Pyromaniac Politician. From that point he’s transported to within the pages of the comic book, where the white lines between panels are razor sharp and the sound effects and actions are real. Burning comics, indeed.

     The parents of the young boy in “Keep It Fed” won’t believe that there’s a monster under his bed that wants to eat him. It agrees to spare him if he will feed it something he loves. So, he begins feeding it his comic book collection. Flash forward to his teenage years, where he’s still feeding the monster who shares his love of comics. His parents, upset that he hasn’t joined the working world, take his comics collection outside and begin to burn it. You can imagine what happens next.  FIVE STARS.

#48 -#49  NINJAK: SUPERKILLERS BOOK 2 by Jeff Parker and Mike Norton (Valiant Entertainment / Alien Books)      Synopsis:

PRESTIGE ED - 48 PAGES - Ninjak, with the help of Punk Mambo, must go deep undercover to infiltrate Daylight's organization. While every mercenary nips at their heels, Colin King must do the unthinkable and forget who he is, namely, the most excellent agent MI6 ever had. Along with Myna, in a role reversal now as his protector, they must confront Kingmaker and his sister, the all-knowing Syphon, for a blowout finale that comes with a body count.

   That synopsis makes this sound better than it actually is. I hate to say that because I’ve been a fan of Valiant comics since the first iteration in the 1980’s under Jim Shooter’s direction. This just reads so formulaic, as if Parker and Norton are just going through the motions. Parker, who is capable of so much better, fails to wring any emotion out of the story. Norton also seems to have lost a step. There’s an announcement of a Valentine’s Day special Valiant book coming out as well as a new Ninjak one-shot in February, but I’m too disappointed by this to care. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.

Two good one-shot stories from DC Comics. I’m so happy they still do this occasionally  . . . . . . . . . .

#50  THE PENGUIN #6 by Tom King and Stevan Subic “An Unimportant Man, Part One” (DC Comics, March 2024) Even though this story may continue beyond Issue #6, it ends at a complete stopping point. Story-telling and art are exceptional on this one. Synopsis:

The battles between the Penguin and Batman are the stuff of legend on the streets of Gotham City…but what of their very first encounter, the first strike in this contest of champions? Tom King and guest artist Stevan Subic (The Riddler: Year One) tell the story of the brutal first meeting of these two titans.

   What impresses me most is how Tom King puts us right into the character’s head, revealing their thoughts via the text boxes. Also, three different points of view being expressed, differentiated by colors. Subic draws the creepiest, revolting Penguin. 

    Oswald Copplepot is just a lowly worker at a lounge, doubling as maintenance person and bartender. He becomes an informant to Batman and gives him the scoop on the whereabouts of various members of the Falcone crime family - - so there’s a bond of sorts as they are helping each other. Penguin is not above using people, as the ending to this issue clearly hints at. FOUR STARS.

#51  GREEN ARROW #8 by Joshua Williamson and Phil Hester. Inks by Eric Gapstur. Wild cover art by Sean Izaaske.  Great art from Hester and a twisty plot from Williamson make for a fun, entertaining read. The hitman-hooeia apparently kills two prominent members of the Arrow family while another one goes missing. The Arrow family uses deception to uncover who’s really behind the contracts and learns that there’s a new spin to how the Suicide Squad operates, which should clue you as to who is the instigator. And, that missing Arrow family, member?  Yeah, he apparently went to work for them.  

  There’s sure to be more to this storyline in the coming issues but what happens here is a satisfactory complete story if that’s all you’re looking for. FOUR STARS.

#52 - #59  AVENGERS: REVELATIONS Trade Paperback by various creators (Marvel Worldwide Inc, January 2015)  This reprints four unrelated Avengers-connected tales, all from over-sized 2014 annuals. The best-looking entry is by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim, just breath-taking. The most original and creative entry is from Barbiere and Marco Rudy.

     Just an average collection, elevated in my rating based on the original, creative Doctor Strange story.The Avengers Christmas story is boring and pointless, with simplistic art that suits the storyline but doesn't help make it appealing. The Mojo world story is typical of these staged confrontations but a little better. The Thanos story features breath-taking art but mainly serves as an overview of his history in the Marvel Universe. OVERALL RATING: THREE STARS.

     Jim Starlin and Ron Lim tell a tale (from THANOS ANNUAL #1, 2014) that takes place before the conclusion of CAPTAIN MARVEL #33 (1974) that serves as place marker of sorts in the long journey of Thanos. His future (already know to us) is hinted at by various characters (Mephisto, the Living Tribunal, and a hologram of future Thanos). THREE STARS.

     The Uncanny Avengers (Cap’s attempt to integrate mutants into the team) get transported to Mojo world and his latest scripted reality television extravaganza. Can they survive the wrath of an unleashed Ghost Rider/Spirit of Vengeance teamed with the new Avengers of the Supernatural?  Story by Rick Remender and Paul Renaud from UNCANNY AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 (2014). TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.

      Doctor Strange is called upon to fulfill an old debt to an enclave of Himalayan techno-monks = end the threat to the neighboring village by an escaped demon. There’s also an emotional flashback to the eary days of Strange’s medical career when he was arrogant and felt godlike until a humbling incident became a character builder, an incident that he recalls when solving the problem of the demon. Very compelling story with creative art that is sometimes hard to follow. Story by Frank Barbiere and Marco Rudy from NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 (2014).FOUR STARS.

       How the various Avengers spend Christmas Eve, and who will be the loneliest tonight (hint: Cap) is detailed through various incidents and situations that are never connected. They just happen, and most of them are pretty dumb. I found this to insult my intelligence, especially the overly simplistic art. I can’t even imagine a young reader enjoying this. Story by Kathryn Immonen and David LaFuente from AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 (2014)  TWO STARS.

My Week In Comics #3 - - - January 21, 2024

MY WEEK IN COMICS #3 - - - January 21, 2024 

For the last three years I have embarked on a Comics Odyssey, reading and writing reviews of comics towards an ambitious goal which I only attained on one of three attempts.  This year, I still want to read more comics and write reviews, but I’m not setting a specific goal.  I’ll just document them and number them. We’ll see how far I can go . . . . . . . .

     

#34  AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41 by Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr. (Marvel Worldwide Inc, March 2024)  This is the half-way point in the 5-month Gang War crossover, and the action has intensified.  I’ve only read one of the eleven installments that preceded this one, but I was able to follow this without any difficulty at all.

   Also, rather than being bogged down or confused by the intricacies of the plot, I was able to enjoy this for what it is: a throw-back to the good old days of less superhero drama, more superhero fights. I found it a refreshing change, although a regular diet of this would not have the same impact.

    There are several fights/conflicts in this issue.  I liked jutaxposing the battle between Wilson Fisk/Kingpin and Tombstone with the fight between their respective children - - The Rose vs. Beetle. 

   There are plenty of cool scenes and amusing dialogue. During a stand-off prior to battle Spider-Man and She-Hulk get confused by Typhoid Mary’s flirting, both assuming it is solely intended for them.

   Other examples: 

“You just start grabbing appendages?! How Dare You?!” 

“Are you using my head as a paperweight?”

Tombstone: “I’ve got this.” Spider-Man’s response: “Have you told your teeth?”  THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#35 - #44  CATWOMAN: LONELY CITY hardcover by Cliff Chiang (DC Comics/Black Label, October 2022) Collect issues #1-4 of the prestige format limited series

                        Synopsis:  

In a world without Batman...will Selina Kyle's old wounds tear Gotham City apart? Cliff Chiang writes and illustrates the ultimate Catwoman masterpiece!

Ten years ago, the massacre known as Fools' Night claimed the lives of Batman, the Joker, Nightwing, and Commissioner Gordon...and sent Selina Kyle, the Catwoman, to prison.

A decade later, Gotham has grown up—it's put away costumed heroism and villainy as childish things. The new Gotham is cleaner, safer...and a lot less free, under the watchful eye of Mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. It's into this new city that Selina Kyle returns, a changed woman...with her mind on that one last big score: the secrets hidden inside the Batcave! She doesn't need the money--she just needs to know...who is "Orpheus"?

   I haven’t read a lot of Catwoman stories; and those I did were in trade paperback collections/complete stories. So I feel somewhat confident in stating that this is the best one I have ever read. I thought LONELY CITY, while an imaginary future tale, was brilliant in every aspect.  It’s an incredible spotlight on the talents of Cliff Chiang and I would direct anyone to this title as an example of how best to use the graphic novel story-telling format. 

     Even more impressive than his art, coloring, and lettering, is Chiang's ability to spin a great yarn. He brings new characterization to Catwoman, Killer Croc, Harvey Dent, Poison Ivy, Penguin, The Riddler/Eddie Nigma, Barbara Gordon , Jason Blood/Etrigan the Demon and the supporting cast in such a way that makes readers see the good side of villains, most of whom turn out to be honorable. There's even an unexpected romance. 

     Catwoman/Selina Kyle is now in her fifties, has lost a step, recognizes her limitations and seeks to find a new purpose, acknowledging that she can't do it alone and needs help. The storyline concerns her re-training herself in order to take on the biggest job yet - - infiltrating the Batcave and learning what is the mysterious "Orpheus" that a dying Batman burdened her with.

     Book Four is a tour de force where Catwoman and company enter the Batcave and battle mayor Harvey Dent and his Batcops. There's a twist when she finally uncovers what Orpheus is and makes an unexpected decision.

     Absolutely brilliant in every aspect. Almost everyone should read this, although I feel it would be incredibly confusing without some prior knowledge of the Batman family.  FIVE STARS.

#45 - #46 COBRA COMMANDER #1 by Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana (Image Comics, Skybound, January 2024)       Synopsis:

     The Rise of Cobra begins here. In a world where the Cobra organization hasn't formed, one man's sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon sends shockwaves across the globe.  Who is Cobra Commander? Where does he come from? And what horrors is he planning to unleash that will rock the world-and maybe the universe-to its core? Red-Hot writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Duke) and artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) kick off the second of four action-packed miniseries that will introduce the best and worst humanity has to offer in the Energon Universe. 

    This is the second series that will unite the G.I. Joe and Transformers into the Energon Universe. So, if you want to be in on the ground floor you’ll need to pick this up as well as DUKE #1.There is plenty going on in COBRA COMMANDER #1 to hold your attention and the art is dynamic. However, no clear answers are supplied for the three questions posed in the above synopsis. They just get hinted at.

 

  The opening sequence with a trench-coated stranger showing up at a bar in a frigid northern location and demanding a vehicle is captivating and turns out bloody. Of course, the stranger is Cobra Commander. He’s just been exiled (sort of) from Cobra-La, the secretive society that worships snakes and looks like a cross between Atlantis and something from Flash Gordon. 

     Cobra-La’s reclusive society (not quite human) favors nature over science. Revolution has been sparked due to the intrusion of science into their world - - both perhaps instigated by Cobra Commander. His origins aren’t explained except to reveal that he is not a native, apparently taken in and raised here. He’s also hidden many of his science experiments including the captive Transformer (Megatron?) he’s stealing data from.

     Now, he’s determined to make his way across the globe uncovering and hoarding more Transformer data before his big move to bring Cobra-La to world domination. A good beginning, although I liked DUKE better because the storyline was more deliberate and not as vague. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
 

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS on Apple TV: Excellent use

of the Godzilla Universe. The first time that I've been interested in a long,

long, while. Definitely worth your time. FOUR STARS.

Bosch: Legacy S2 Trailer | Now Streaming

BOSCH LEGACY, SEASON TWO on Amazon FreeVee: Even better than

Season One. Great performances. This ends satisfactory, and sets up the 

drama for Season Three. Looking forward to it. FOUR STARS.

SYNOPSIS:

Bosch: Legacy follows Harry Bosch, a retired homicide detective turned private investigator, as he embarks on the next chapter of his career; attorney Honey “Money” Chandler, who struggles to maintain her faith in the justice system after surviving an attempted murder; and Maddie Bosch, as she discovers the possibilities and challenges of being a rookie patrol cop on the streets of Los Angeles. During Season Two, Bosch and Chandler work together to seek out a killer who just might find them first. As a result of being kidnapped by a masked assailant, Maddie Bosch's law enforcement career hangs in the balance. The FBI scrutinizes Carl Rogers' murder and places Bosch and Chandler under suspicion.

IDW Relaunches TMNT with JASON AARON Writing

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JASON AARON TO RELAUNCH NEW TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COMIC SERIES FROM IDW PUBLISHING

From the Official IDW Publishing Press Release . . . . . LOS ANGELES, CA (January 16, 2024) – Officially announced by ComicBook.com, the comics starring the Heroes in a Half Shell are heading in a compelling new direction that’s inspired by their roots, and Eisner Award-winning writer Jason Aaron (Batman: Off-World, Scalped) is leading the way in the upcoming relaunch of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (TMNT) comics from IDW Publishing.

Photo by Colin MacMillan

Forty years ago, innovative creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird introduced the four mutant brothers – Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo – in a gritty and action-packed comic series. Now, acclaimed author Aaron – a veteran of the comic industry with more than two decades of writing under his belt including Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and Thor: God of Thunder – presents a new ongoing series that strives to captivate readers with a tone similar to the classic and beloved TMNT comics.  Aaron’s approach to TMNT, while inspired by what has come before, will also present a raw vision for the iconic franchise’s comics that is also completely fresh and stunning for both longtime shellheads and brand-new readers. “Launching a new TMNT comic series in the midst of the characters’ 40th anniversary is clearly one of those dream jobs of all comic book dream jobs,” said Aaron. “Especially for me, a kid who first fell in love with the Turtles all those years ago because of that original Mirage Studios series, buying those groundbreaking issues fresh off the rack, comics that kicked you in the face with their action-packed grit and gloriously raw attitude. I couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to get to add to that esteemed legacy of comic book face-kicking, especially as part of an amazing IDW run that has expanded the world and timeline of the Turtles in such daring and exciting ways. In terms of what’s to come, the kid in me wants you to know that you can expect some good old-fashioned grit, a sprinkle of dark, new attitude and all the bone-cracking action that four mutated ninja brothers can possibly handle.”

"Working with Jason Aaron has been something I have wanted to do for a long time, so that in itself is a treat. Even better, though, is getting to go on an expedition with him to explore a fictional world that he hasn't worked in before. And of course, he has not disappointed," stated Editor-in-Chief Jamie S. Rich. "From the very first conversations, it was clear that he brought a real passion to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the sort of excitement you can only get from a true fan. He's a master of his craft, and each new script has only gotten me more excited for the rest of the world to see what he's coming up with." Co-Publisher Mark Doyle is confident that fans of the beloved franchise are in for a real treat with Aaron's story and the talented artists who will bring the script to life. "Jason is one of the best storytellers in comics and he just gets the Turtles. Add to that the amazing artists he's working with and you have the recipe for some great TMNT comics that we cannot wait to bring to fans!"  Aaron will make his TMNT writing debut in the oversized TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: ALPHA #1 issue this June with a 10-page prelude story. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 will go on sale this July. More information about the relaunch – including additional creators on the series – will be revealed next week on IGN.  For updates on everything regarding TMNT comics, be sure to follow IDW and the official TMNT accounts on social media.