Callie lives with her mom in a grand old hotel in the middle of the Dust Bowl and has spent the last years watching it, and their town, slowly blow aw...moreCallie lives with her mom in a grand old hotel in the middle of the Dust Bowl and has spent the last years watching it, and their town, slowly blow away with the wind. If this life wasn't difficult enough Callie has a dark secret—she's half black. Her dad is a jazz musician who promised to come back for her mother someday. Or so Callie thinks. Then in the middle of a giant dust storm Callie's mother reveals the truth, he dad isn't human at all. He's a fae prince. Callie's anger at her father's abandonment fuels the storm around them and her mom disappears, taken by fae who want to come for Callie as well. Because neither court is terribly happy about Callie's existence.
Dust Girl is a fantastic period fantasy tale. It will appeal to lovers of classical fairy tales (the old Grimm types, not the Disney re-makes). The blending of Depression-era conflict with tricky fairy prophecies is enchanting. Highly recommended.(less)
The Reapers are the Angel is one of those books that people aren't going to expect, and that many otherwise avid horror fans might end up over looking...moreThe Reapers are the Angel is one of those books that people aren't going to expect, and that many otherwise avid horror fans might end up over looking. A gothic southern tale of a girl who lives alone after the zombie uprising it does for zombies what Interview with a Vampire did for vampires. Temple is barely a teenager, left to survive in a failing world. She's illiterate, had never know family or a world without zombies yet she's searching the world for something she can't put a name to. Despite her very different way of thinking she's easily an Everyman for a wide swath of readers who find this book. Intensely strange, deeply emotional this is a zombie tale not to be missed, or underestimated in the sea of knock off biohorror apocalypse books. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, but readers should beware that Bell's intoxicating tale will pull you in and make it very hard to let go. An absolute must have for modern horror collections. Contains: language, violence, attempted rape, sex(less)
The final volume in the Zombie Powder series continues the engaging story of Gamma, a chainsaw sword wielding master criminal, Smith, a light-hearted...moreThe final volume in the Zombie Powder series continues the engaging story of Gamma, a chainsaw sword wielding master criminal, Smith, a light-hearted super criminal himself, Elwood, on the cusp not just between boy and man, but criminal and hero, and Wolfina, who is trying to save her brother from both a circus of crazies and a Ring of the Dead. This volume continues to establish our leads as heroes of the Punisher type, who don't hesitate to break laws and even kill people if it keeps innocents safe. Kubo drops more tantalizing hints about Gamma and Smith's histories, then comes the blow that this is the last book in the series and therefore will remain unfinished. Zombie Powder is a fun series, even if the action scenes are confusing and space consuming. The characters make the story, as great characters should, and its hard not to see them translating well to other mediums. I truly hope Kubo revisits these characters again, but as far as getting to see the creative mind playing with convention, this is a rewarding series and should be a part of manga collections. (Though it's more appropriate for a teen audience than middle grade.) Contains: cartoon violence, implied criminal activity including sexual crimes and murder(less)
Not that the concept isn't weird enough, a trio of people chasing after the mythical (and dangerous) Rings of the Dead, which when put together make p...moreNot that the concept isn't weird enough, a trio of people chasing after the mythical (and dangerous) Rings of the Dead, which when put together make powered life force that can make a person immortal, but in this volume things get really weird as Gamma (S-class criminal and chainsaw sword wielder), Elwood (former thief and knife thrower on a mission to bring his older sister back from the dead) and Smith (mysterious, gun slinging, suit wearing master fighter) face down the weirdest troupe of circus performers ever over the body of a boy playing host to one of the evil rings. Foes in this action-packed manga include an undead box, a deadly assassin and his human target sisters and a magician who can bend space and time. Zombie Powder #3 is very strange, but it continues to deliver the same strong characterization, western-theme and doles out the tidbits of mystery at a pace perfect to keep readers involved. Plus this volume contains a Kubo “bonus short” for die hard fans. Recommended for manga collections because when combined with the bonus shorts these books give a fine idea of the story spectrum available in manga. Contains: cartoon-like violence, implied sexual threats and off-color relationships(less)
Gamma is an S-Class criminal on the hunt for the legendary 12 Rings of the Dead, that when put together will make Zombie Powder, a substance made of p...moreGamma is an S-Class criminal on the hunt for the legendary 12 Rings of the Dead, that when put together will make Zombie Powder, a substance made of pure life force which can bring the dead to life, or give the living immortality. This volume puts Gamma's sidekicks Elwood and Smith aside as Gamma gets caught up in the drama of the little town they've come to. It's here that he meets Wolfina, a young reporter/vigilante who guards not just the town, and especially the local hospital besieged with attacks from ring hunters, but her brother who is comatose inside, the victim of unprotected contact with one of the legendary rings. In this volume we meet yet another great character who brings to the table new, disturbing information about the risk of ring hunting (other than the competition). The same pattern emerges, there are equal parts sketchy fight scenes and plot moving scenes. The confusing nature of the fight scenes could very well be implied heavy movement, but in still ink rather than animated form it comes off poorly. It's not difficult at the “pause” scenes to figure out what has happened, but having to in the first place will turn off some readers. The plot is quite enjoyable, with a real western flavor set into a background where feudal Japan has been replaced by all the wild gang types that one would expect from a manga. Recommended as part of public collections including manga, especially for it's cleaner nature. (Teen age range) Contains: Implied rape, torture and other criminal activity, cartoon gore(less)
Kubo's (Bleach!) first graphic novel, Zombie Powder is a wild western-flavored tale staring Gamma, a chainsaw sword wielding ultra criminal (but he's...moreKubo's (Bleach!) first graphic novel, Zombie Powder is a wild western-flavored tale staring Gamma, a chainsaw sword wielding ultra criminal (but he's the good guy), super shooter, suit wearer CT Smith and Elwood, a kid who wants to bring his older sister back from the dead. The trio face down against the gangs who run the world in a quest to gather the 12 Rings of the Dead, which are said to create zombie powder, concentrated life force which can return the dead to life or make the living immortal. What Zombie Powder has going for it are action and great characters. Gamma is a great Robin Hood-esque character, Smith is amusing and intimidating and Elwood gives the story soul, hitting perfect notes when it comes to compelling leads. The action is hard to follow often, and much of the story devolves into action in a Matrix style of storytelling where there's ten pages of plot, then ten more of fight. But Zombie Powder is a fun wild ride through ink. Recommended for public collections that include manga or as a starter for those that don't. (Teen age range) Contains: Implied rape, torture and other criminal activity, implied gore(less)
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex, difficult to deal with and highly undiagnosed mental disease. While the idea of th...moreI borrowed this book.
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex, difficult to deal with and highly undiagnosed mental disease. While the idea of the unstable girlfriend or boyfriend is common enough to be a comedy (and horror) stereotype, this book explores a very real disorder that might be behind the actions. And unlike many books on the topic, it focuses on the supporters, caretakers, or those who have been scarred by the actions of a BPD person.
This book is very clear, easy to read and includes a ton of resources for those struggling to handle the seemingly manipulative and contradictory (and sometimes outright dangerous) behavior of a BPD-afflicted person. Referrals to other books or related topics, online communities and loaded with anecdotes this book is a support itself, and practically screams “We understand. You are not alone.” (Which those struggling sometimes need desperately to hear.)
It's not perfect, as it focuses more on identifying and explaining behaviors and the anecdotes mostly center on displaying situational BPD behavior, not on the coping side of the book. But it is a handy, comprehensive addition to mental health libraries or a useful guide for those trying to handle the effects of BPD. In fact this is an excellent place to start in a quest to both understand and recover from the damages that this emotionally crippling disease can cause.(less)
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