Book Review: Fox and Raccoon and Top Ten Re-Reads

Hey everyone, today we have a double feature. A book review and a Top Ten Tuesday post. Enjoy

Title: Fox and Raccoon

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Source: NetGalley

Summary: The first in a new picture book series featuring sweet felted creatures and a little village you won't soon forget!

Welcome to Juniper Hollow! Meet Fox and Raccoon. They are best friends. They live next door to each other, and they spend every day together. Except for today! Fox is so busy she doesn't have time to play. But never fear--Raccoon is here to help! He mails letters, goes to the fruit stand, picks up some yarn and even buys some sugar. But Fox is STILL busy. Will she ever have time to stop and play with him? As it turns out, she has a surprise up her sleeve...

Lesley-Anne Green's endearing felted animals and adorable detailed sets create a world that readers will want to come back to again and again.
Review

This series was such a sweet quick read. Every word jumped off the page and made you feel part of the story. You could sense the deep love and friendship between Fox and Raccoon. Not only that, the other animals around the community are helpful and kind. If you ever wanted to read a family friendly book with a message of friendship and positivity to a child, this is it. Also a great read for children wanting a book not too long to read for themselves. There's a lot in a tiny package. The artwork is also beautiful. Sadly I hardly saw any of it because the PDF copy I got from Netgalley was of poor quality and somewhat jumbled with hardly any of the pictures actually in it. But I still highly recommend this book because it is a wonderful read for any child.

Rating: 4 Stars

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

I am not a huge rereader these days. But I know the books I would grab in an instant.

1. Sweet Valley Series by Francine Pascal: These books were my childhood! I got to follow Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield from childhood all the way to University. Want to do it all over again.

2. R.L. Stine books: Goosebumps, Fear Street...everything. I recently started buying his Slappy puppet series and I'm a kid again. He might write mostly for kids but his books are ageless to me.

3. V.C. Andrews series: The ghostwriter has recently taken the series down a poor quality path. But there are still lots of books from the grander days I have yet to read. The original author might have died after writing only a few of the books herself. But her gothic legend lives on.

4. Harry Potter Series: These books helped define my teens by turning me into a fantasy buff. Before that, I was very contemporary.

5. The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine: C.J. wrote the start of an amazing series. Go read it!

6. School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani: Because it's amazing and compelling.

7. Enid Blyton book series: These short story collections are just so beloved.

8. Poetry: Various kinds by different poets

9 & 10. Other books I just can't recall right now. Peace.


Thank you for stopping by. Fancy getting Fox and Raccoon for a child you know? Do you reread?

Netflix Dragon: The Babysitter Review

Happy Monday folks. Today I'll be reviewing a Netflix Original Film. The Babysitter played on the trope of the evil babysitter and gave it a modern campy vibe. Read on for my full thoughts.

Tired of movies where babysitters are damsels in distress? Enjoy horror comedies? Want a cheap man's 'Home Alone' campy horror where the kid isn't actually alone? Like the more fun and less mind-bending movies by Netflix? Then this one might just be up your alley.

Viewers get to follow Cole, a young boy with typical things in his life like bullies, first crushes, and a best friend. One of the people he cared about the most was Bee, his babysitter. Sexy, cool, friendly and always telling Cole he's better than he thinks, she's a Godsend. But all of that goes out the window when one night Cole decided to stay up late. Seeing your babysitter and her friends murder a fellow teenager for a Satanic ritual would ruin anyone's night. Getting caught is even worse.

What ensues for Cole is a madcap fight for his life as these teens try to kill the only witness to a murder and well...Satan worshipping. Not for the squeamish since there was a lot of blood. As Cole struggles to survive and not be tempted to the join other side or get killed by the beautiful yet cunning Bee and her teen cohorts. The question is not just if Cole will survive but who will he be once this is all over.

In the end, the film is nothing deep, just fun cheap horror. If you like your films simple and want some laughs and maybe a few thrills, then this film might be for you. Personally, I enjoyed it a lot. Though I have to agree with the cheerleader. It's not cool to shoot a girl in the boob. Take care everyone.

So what do you think? Is this movie up your alley? Do you have/enjoy Netflix? Let me know.

Netflix Dragon: Dragons Race to the Edge Season 6 Review

Please Note: Netflix Nation segment has been renamed Netflix Dragon. I would like to expand this segment online and #NetflixDragon can now be used online to keep up with current and previous posts. Twitter (@sheenakgraham) and Instagram (@queendsheena) is where I'll be using these hashtags. #NetflixNation has already been used on and off for years by others. Hence my decision to come up with a new title so I could register the hashtag.

Happy Friday everybody, here with a new post. This time for the final season of Dragons: Race to the Edge. For those who keep up with the series and the Dreamworks movies, we know How to Train Your Dragon 3 comes out in 2019. So there's no question that this series needed to end with a bang. Read on to see my thoughts and decide if this show might be right for you.

This season has finally caught up with the quality of the first two seasons. While I found a few scenes somewhat dodgy, they all came together in the end. Trust me, the two-episode finale is goals and no doubt that this series is among the best on Netflix.

What did I enjoy?

Action: Just about every episode has really good to downright amazing action. Whether flying on dragons or battling on land. Hiccup and his crew are down for anything to protect their home Berk, dragons and the innocent.

Characters: We get to see all the main and even some supporting characters grow throughout the season. 13 episodes might not sound long enough to do that but this finale made it work. Even the twins get somewhat enlightened. Don't worry they're still ridiculous and insane but they learned things. Plus Chicken got some jewelry so everybody wins.

Villains: All I will say is that you better watch all the way to the end. To truly appreciate how perfectly this series has been connected to the films. Each villain played their role well but that end villain scene in episode 13 was just too perfect. No spoilers, it will be worth gold for fans.

Story: We get to see multiple arcs come to great conclusions. Even one with Viggo that I doubted came together really well when the season ended. Though I will say that a few times filler episodes took a bite out of time that could be better dedicated to episodes following the main plotline. A small nitpick in comparison to what worked but still something I have to make note of.

Final Verdict

Season Six was everything any fan of this franchise and lovers of amazing content can hope for. Highly Recommend. My favorite seasons are still the first two but this one comes close behind. Way to end on a high note Dreamworks and Netflix.

P.S.: Viggo is the best villain of the series. Period. Don't at me.

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend. Hope you liked the new review format. Will be going between this and the original depending on the show/movie. Also I will now be doing this segment twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming books we're excited about. Formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine until her site went quiet. The meme is still followed today by dedicated bloggers who have a need to share their anticipation of upcoming reads.

So here we are with another WOW upon us. This week I'm anticipating a book by an author I really enjoy. Kiersten White is not one to be put in a box. Writing books from paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi genres and more. Each story has its own magic and I also enjoy hitting her up on Twitter. When she announced the cover reveal just recently of an upcoming novel, I was there. This title is a retelling of a tale many of us know. But through Kiersten's eyes and twisted imagination. I can't wait!

Release Date: September 25, 2018

Summary: Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness. 
So what do you think? Did the cover and premise send chills up your spine? Let me know and yes, Netflix Nation will be back this Friday. Thanks for stopping by.

Cover Reveal: On the Come Up

So today I'm sharing the cover of a book many have been anticipating. After the novel The Hate U Give became a bestseller with a truthful and moving story, there was great interest in what the author would do next. That would be On the Come Up and today I will be sharing the cover of what I believe is yet another amazing story by Angie Thomas. No question that this cover both beautiful and electric. Definitely struck a cord when I saw it. Now let's see what you'll think.

Title: On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least get some streams on her mixtape. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill. But when her mom unexpectedly loses her job, food banks and shut-off notices become as much a part of her life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

So what do you think of the cover? Thanks for stopping by.

Top Ten Tuesday: Romantic Book Quote 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by  The Artsy Reader Girl. 

Well this week's theme is Love Freebie to go along with Valentine's Day on Wednesday. While you should post ten romantic, swoon worthy or sexy quotes from books. Instead, I'll post one and give ten reasons why I am so taken by it.

*Drum Roll*

The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Ten reasons why I chose the Snape quote.

1-5: Severus Snape is an amazingly complex character who while also a bullying angry man turned out to be a talented brave individual who faced many obstacles and never got over losing his soulmate, Lily.

6. Romances can be one-sided and this is often not explored enough in my opinion. Or even worse too often with 'reality show' level drama thrown in. Not here, thank goodness.

7. Snape used one word to show his undying love for Lily. Magical.

8. Not all romances end well and J.K. was able to show how love can survive after tragedy perfectly.

9. The Feels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10. Always (Snape).

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Galentine's Day and VD when it comes Wednesday.

Netflix Nation: January 2018

Please Note: There will be no blog post on Monday, January 12. Will return on Tuesday.

Hey, welcome to another Friday with Netflix. What did I watch in January? Take a gander and see if there's anything you might want to take a look at as well.

Black Mirror: Season 4

Black Mirror is today's, Twilight Zone. Each episode takes you on a unique journey steeped in science fiction alternatives to the world we know today. From a man using DNA to create a secret online universe to a man who uses devices to make dreams come true like an evil genie. Overprotective mother, dating, trying to cover a murder. These seemingly simple or dire acts are made complex and innovative with each episode. With six episodes you won't take forever to binge watch or choose an episode at your own convenience. Highly recommend.


Marvel's: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Season 4

This season was not short on action, CGI and surprise twists. Ghost Rider was displayed pretty well on screen. We get to see the team on a new mission with twists and turns. There are also multiple tragedies to pull at the heartstrings including losing a member of the team. This season held no punches and I'm excited to see what has been happening in the current Season 5. Highly recommend.


iZombie: Season 2

Getting back into this series has been a fun ride. If you like your horror with some romance, comedy and medium gore...then this series might be for you. Recommended, especially for fans of the show.


Dave Chappelle: Equanimity and The Bird Revelation

Dave Chappelle returned in December for a two-part comedy session. While I found him entertaining I was disappointed by some of the highly homophobic jokes and mean-spirited statements of those suffering sexual harassment. I can take a joke but saying women who leave an industry because a man reveals his penis to her unwillingly has a weak spirit? That's just going too far. I usually enjoy Dave's over the top comedy and still recommend as I had a great time. Just think a few jokes should have taken feelings into consideration. But again, this is Dave Chappelle. Jokes are not for the faint of heart.


Black Lightning - Episode one

Black Lightning is a new series airing on the CW. It also airs one week behind on Netflix where I watched episode one. So far I am loving this show with a father getting back into the superhero business to protect his community and family. There have been a few review complaints about why he's not a younger heartthrob like the white CW heroes. As far as I'm concerned he's the perfect hero for all viewers as well as a diverse audience. A black man not being a gangster, taking care of his family and community along with being a school principal and secret vigilante? Sign my black butt up! Highly recommend to fans of superhero television shows.


Also Watched:

Coraline: Rewatched the movie and enjoyed every minute of it. Highly recommend.

Babysitter (2017 Netflix Film):  Really enjoyed this one. Plan to do a full review in the future. A fun cheap man's home alone. All I will say, when fighting a teen satanic cult, don't shoot a girl in the boob. Recommend.

Bleach (Season 1): Thought I would catch up on an anime I have not watched in years. Unfortunately, the subtitles were in Spanish. So this was D.O.A. for me.

How to Get Away with Murder: I looked at the pilot, plan to watch later in the year. Possibly April.

Thanks for stopping day. What are you watching? Did any of these shows catch your eye?

Waiting on Wednesday: The Burning Maze #3

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming books we're excited about. Formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine until her site went quiet. The meme is still followed today by dedicated bloggers who have a need to share their anticipation of upcoming reads.

Rick Riordan is a talented storyteller who I have loved reading for years. His work is mostly aimed towards middle grade and young adult. But as one of the adults who love reading within these genres, I'm hooked. Especially when it includes fantasy. I am excited for the third book in this spine-tingling series.

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Summary: The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

With the help of some demigod friends, Lester managed to survive his first two trials, one at Camp Half-Blood, and one in Indianapolis, where Meg received the Dark Prophecy. The words she uttered while seated on the Throne of Memory revealed that an evil triumvirate of Roman emperors plans to attack Camp Jupiter. While Leo flies ahead on Festus to warn the Roman camp, Lester and Meg must go through the Labyrinth to find the third emperor—and an Oracle who speaks in word puzzles—somewhere in the American Southwest. There is one glimmer of hope in the gloom-filled prophecy: The cloven guide alone the way does know. They will have a satyr companion, and Meg knows just who to call upon. . . .


Thank you for stopping by. Sorry for not posting on Tuesday. Monday I had an accident when a family member knocked me with the car door.

My side was hurt and I have pain on the left side of my body. So I have to ease back a bit as I recover. Thank you for understanding and see you Friday.

Book Review: Remade Series and Tremontaine Series

Hey everyone today I'll be reviewing two book series I downloaded from Netgalley. I got e-copies of both series in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Remade Seasons One and Two

Source: Netgalley




Summary: In one moment the lives of twenty-three teenagers are forever changed, and it's not just because they all happen to die. "ReMade" in a world they barely recognize--one with robots, space elevators, and unchecked jungle--they must work together to survive. They came from different places, backgrounds, and families, and now they might be the last people on earth. Lost meets The Maze Runner in this exciting adventure from Serial Box Publishing.


Review

Remade is a sci-fi series written by different writers. You get to follow teenagers in various settings from the changed future where they are reborn and the past before it happens. While it's quite an interesting concept, it can also be confusing. One of my favourite characters is Loki in Season Two who pretends to be much braver than he actually is. In the past, he was a shy young teen who got pushed around. Now remade he's trying to stay in charge of a ragtag team and stay alive. This series is definitely for sci-fi fans looking for twists and turns with surprise reveals and various technologies and locations to explore. Personally, I have been on and off and would rather collect the entire series once it's over. The last one I downloaded was Season 2 episode 7. I believe I'll stop there and wait for everything to end and get a paperback or digital collection. Still, recommend for an interesting premise and decent story.

Rating: 3 Stars

Tremontaine Series (Season 3)



Summary: Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner's classic Riverside series. 

This is the 7th episode in the third season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Liz Duffy Adams and Delia Sherman. 

Diane hosts a hunting party outside of the city that provides an opportunity to manipulate her relationships as well as those of her associates. Kaab investigates the Inspector’s background and discovers her past may pose a significant risk for her family’s future. Micah questions the trust she’s placed in Diane. Esha wonders if the City is changing who she is for the worse.

Welcome to Tremontaine, where ambition, love affairs, and rivalries dance with deadly results. A Duchess whose beauty is matched only by her cunning; a handsome young scholar with more passion than sense; a foreigner in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a mathematical genius whose discoveries herald revolution when games of politics begin, no one is safe. Keep your wit as sharp as your steel in this world where politics is everything, and outcasts are the tastemakers.
Review

I must say that this series never really got me going. I was intrigued since the same publisher did Remade. But I never got into the story. I downloaded multiple chapters/episodes but barely got into any of them. Honestly, don't remember much. Not a fan of the pacing and the characters just feel off-kilter and boring. The story is just not my cup of tea either. Try it if you want but this was not for me.
But it could be because I came in on Season 3 so I'll give them a little leeway. Hopefully, those who start from the start meet a more interesting storyline and better pacing to explain things better.

Rating: 2 Stars

Thanks for stopping by. See you on Tuesday for Bookish Tuesday and another book review.

Netflix Nation: Fall/Winter 2017

Does anyone want to ask why it took so long to get this posted? No? Thank God! The overdue Fall/Winter (or in Jamaica, the last three months of the year) line up is here. If you need to catch up on my last Netflix Nation compilation post click here. On this segment, I discuss shows I have watched on Netflix. Either compiling what I have watched over a period of time or reviewing individual shows like my Punisher review.

Watch Period: October to December 2017

DC's Legend of Tomorrow Season 2

Heroes came and fought and they traveled on their time ship. Sadly I remember little from this show. But at the time I had fun. Not the best superhero series out there but if you like watching CW hero line-up, you're free to give this series a try. Oh and there's a tragic death from one of the teammates. That part hit hard and really resonated. Just recalled that. Yup, I really came to this post late.

Neyo Yokio

This anime series is weird as hell. Netflix really went over the rails with this but I ended up enjoying it. Plus having a diverse cast that actually blends in with the weirdness is a plus. No tokens present. Feel free to take a gander if you like your animation off the beaten path.

Arrow Season 5 and The Flash Season 3

                                    

Both these shows put their heroes through a lot and I would recommend watching. There has been some quality dip in parts but mainly on the Arrow end. The Flash though has a dramatic plot twist towards the end that had me in tears. I recommend this the most just for that. If you enjoy CW shows these two might just be up your alley.

Trollhunters Season 2

Oh, my God, this was beyond amazing! One of the best things on Netflix, period. I can't wait for the next season which will bring in new storylines including aliens. If you thought Trolls v humans and Trolls v Trolls was crazy. Will review this show in detail later this month or March. But either way, it's a must see if you have any love for animation or great storytelling. Highly Recommend into the stratosphere. Yes, I said that. All the stars!!

Also watched:

The Good Place: Only one episode. It's a nice show but one I'll watch it through when I don't have much to watch. If you enjoy binging comedies you can check this out.

The Punisher (Marvel series): Already reviewed this and while there were a few good episodes the season was sort of subpar but only because of some bad episodes and story pacing. Do better people.

Lucifer (Fox series): Peeked but opted to watch at another time. Have watched a few episodes on television. Very good show but I don't feel like binging it much. Recommended.

Scandal (Season 4 - 6): Really good show but I'm not remembering enough to discuss in detail. Highly recommend if you enjoy Shonda Rhimes series.

Godless: NO!!

Hotel Transylvania: I rewatched this animated movie Christmas Eve and still love it. Some people don't but I really enjoy this movie and can't wait for part 3 this Summer. Watch if you want.

Star Wars Rebels: Thank you Netflix for letting me catch up on Season 3. Recommend.

Thanks for stopping by. What are you watching? See you all next week!