Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 333

Review: 51 SLEEPLESS NIGHTS by Tobias Wade

A woman impregnated by her dead husband. A fire gone horribly wrong. And a phone that takes death selfies.

This collection of stories was pretty good with the exception for those that were not so good. I enjoyed the colorful irony in some of them, and the author seemed to write with this dark, poetic style. Some of these stories may spook you or cause some apprehension, while some managed to read like a gruesome haikus.  
Of course, to say that these horror stories can cause sleepless nights would be a fallacy. In fact, some actually might be the key to insomnia. All in all, I liked some but not others. The cover design was pretty cool.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: THE LYONS ORPHANAGE by Charlie King

An orphan that can read minds.

Sam is just one of the many in Mr. Lyon's Orphanage. Throughout the years, Mr. Lyons has nurtured the boy's love for literacy by providing him great works like Of Mice and Men, which is a story of male bonding and endurance. And it is because of this that Sam has great respect for the man, although it was strange how he could never be able to read his mind. And the one thing that Sam yearned to know was how his parents died.
The whole story mainly comprised of life in the orphanage, which wasn't very stimulating. I wasn't fascinated by the characters or the tepid plot. The only compelling thing was the boy's ability to read minds, which didn't really go anywhere.
All in all, this book wasn't what I expected.
 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: THE TEENAGE SPY by Naila Tennyson

This is the story of a boy named William, who just wanted to be a spy; however, his father wouldn't hear of it, so he leaves his home in search of adventure. Along with a new friend, William makes it a mission to be a spy. In fact, it becomes an obsession.

Although the concept of a teenage spy was interesting, the overall execution (the writing, the plot, etc.) was a tad trite and dull. I wasn't too taken by this book.
 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: SOUTHWEST ON THE A303 by Adam Gary

This is the story of a boy recalling his Uncle Bill just after his passing, and I guess the significance comes from the boy's expedition to Cornwall on the "famous A303." What's so famous about it? It's just a road, right?

The reader's just on the road with this story. Nothing really happened in the plot—at least, nothing interesting. I just didn't really feel any connection with it.
 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: THE DIE-FI EXPERIMENT by M.R. Tapia

This is the story of a man relaying his life as he sits, strapped to a chair, awaiting his execution. It all begins with how he met and fell for his wife.

For me, this story was confusing as this man on death row (which I never find out his name) constantly switches between his past life and his current predicament. And what was this experiment exactly? The Die-Fi Experiment? What's Die-Fi? What kind of story was this? And we have an Italian and a Japanese Geisha in the mix? Why, exactly?
This book was just all over the place that I had to re-read a couple of parts. But, even so, I just didn't get it.
 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: TRUE GRANDEUR by Cal R. Barnes

"If there was ever a sole, singular thing that led me to California, that would undoubtedly be it — a need for some kind of greatness." (6) 

Conrad Arlington, "the last true artist," believed to have had drive and talent, which led him to this Hollywood story. A young boy with big dreams, he embarks on a relentless journey for true grandeur.
Told in the POV of Conrad, this story is the coming-of-age of a young man as he makes his mark in the Hollywood scene, which he soon learns is a "dark place filled with the cries of broken people." Yet, the only thing that mattered was his art, the only voice that drowned out the noise of this mad city. His words of fear and determination were candidly profound and lyrical. Obviously, he was a true artist.
Although the story carried a lovely rendition throughout, there was also a lag at times.  The character's excitement to create great art was so intense and addicting that it almost wears out with such grueling and tenacious monologues about it. He just tended to go and on and on. I absolutely admired his persistence, but, after a while, it becomes somewhat weary and taxing. I probably didn't take to his story too well because he struck me as an arrogant, little snob right from the start. Therefore, what should've been a relatable and inspiring read actually turned out to be quite daunting and grating.
 
My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: JET SET JEFF: THE SCIENCE DEFENDER by Kenneth Harris

This is the story of Jeff and his jet pack. At first fumbling, Jeff continues his honorable goal of protecting his family. Then, pretty soon, he starts flying and saving the day. He sinks into that role pretty quickly.

His arch enemy was none other than Glue Dude. Glue Dude? What kind of villain was that? Well, he certainly brings out an interesting string of cohorts. Still, the foils were a little too convenient. It just seemed like it was all too easy for Jeff.
Story was short and easy. It was kind of cheesy in some areas, but you definitely get a respectable young hero in Jeff.
All in all, this is an okay comic book story. Good for kids!
 My rating: 3 stars

Review: THE SECRET LIVES OF SUPERHERO WIVES by Joynell Schultz

This was definitely an interesting spin to the whole superhero fable.

In this book, we have three women: Ariana, Emma, and Victoria.
Ariana is just starting off in her marriage to a superhero and soon realizes that it wasn’t what she’d thought it would be. Soon, she’s spending her nights alone while wondering if her hubby really is out there saving the world. Or is it just an excuse to get away from her? Or maybe it could have something to do with that new, hot red-headed super heroine that he’s taken under his wing? Could Ariana be competing with another woman for her husband’s attention?
Emma wants to have a child of her own, but is afraid that her superhero husband may not be able to produce with his super seed.
After a bitter divorce, Victoria just wants to forget all about her ex and move on. But how can she when he’s always around? Things take an interesting turn when her superhero gets amnesia and forgets how to control his powers. Now, it’s up to Victoria to help him remember by taking a stroll down memory lane that rekindles an old flame.
My favorite was Victoria and her quest to re-enter the dating scene while dealing with a superhero ex. I loved Capitán Rápido! The Kite was just a funny and lovable doofus.
It was endearing to see the women and their struggles to playing second fiddle. But the reader soon realizes that these women are not exactly “powerless” when it comes to support, and they’ll prove it when they help their husbands save the world in the end.
Three marvelous stories that unite to one epic tale!
Light, airy, and witty! Nice cover illustration, too!
 
My rating: 5 stars

Review: THE SUPERHERO’S TEST by Lucas Flint

17-year old Kevin discovers that he’s the son of a superhero soon after he displays massive strength at a new school in Texas. His father tells him that he was destined to come into his powers. Cool! Question was: What were his powers? That’s what we’re trying to find out in this story.

Meanwhile, a master villain that was once defeated by his father escapes prison looking to exact revenge for his son. Who’s his son? Of course, it would be none other than the bully at school. So now Kevin must train to protect himself.
This is basically about a young kid coming to terms with his adolescence while learning how to use his super powers. Story kinda has a Smallville (Superman’s young story) feel.
This sounded kinda cool at first, but I could not get over how much the boy talked. He talked and talked and talked. What was he a girl? I also thought the whole discussion on Neohero biology was super dull. The bulk of the story centers on the boy being schooled. It’s just one, big, LONG test.

My rating: 3 stars

ACTION FIGURES, ISSUE 1: SECRET ORIGINS by Michael Bailey

Carrie is a 16-year old smart wise-crack. She’s also a teen superhero (she got em’ from an alien that dropped on Earth.) The thing is that she’s not the only one at her new school. Apparently, there’s a whole odd-ball group of them. They get to know each other and become fast friends. Pretty soon, they’re having to contend with an evil robot terrorizing the city. Of course, with them being kids and all, they step back and let the real superheroes handle it.

Still, why shouldn’t they get in on the action, too?
This was a cool story. I liked how these kids were fumbling with their powers and learning how to save the world. It was the story of a B-squad superhero team. It was like reading a comic book without the pictures. Of course, I didn’t really buy the evil robot angle, but young readers will definitely get a kick out these kids.
My rating: 3 stars