Three short reviews & a book

A few years ago, I bought a book published by Angry Robot. That’s how I learned about the Angry Robot Army. Joining their “army” allowed readers to gain access to advance copies of their upcoming novels. This included both printed copies and e-books. From this offering, I only gained one novel (a disappointing novel, at that). After that, I stopped visiting the page. I could blame apathy or just my usual forgetfulness. Whatever the case, it wasn’t until last year that I paid the website another visit only to learn things had changed. They were no longer offering their eARCs through the page. They jumped ships and joined the NetGalley bandwagon (is it a bandwagon?). That meant another account that I would forget in the end. And I did. Right after I opened it, I never visited it again. That is until a few nights ago when an e-mail appeared on my phone. Honored, someone chose me to read The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon. I say someone because I haven’t a clue who decides which books go to which reviewers. I sent a copy to my Galaxy Tab 3‘s Android Kindle App and started it after I finished The Walking Dead novel.

I should add that The Word Exchange is not published by Angry Robot Books. You know, just to clear up any confusion as that was the subject opener. You can preorder at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Preorder for your Kindle or Nook now.

Zombies is where it’s at. Thanks to a lot of things, they’re thrust into the foreground. And people are riding the waves until they crash. None more than Robert Kirkman whose comic book and TV series of the same name are excelling. Now with the fourth and final book of the Governor trilogy on shelves, I decided to pick up the first one. (Just a note, I dislike series books because of the wait, so I usually wait until it concludes.)

The Internet spoiled the ending of the first book, so I won’t add to it. Still, I knew what to expect before I got there. What I didn’t know were the events that lead to the rise of the most hated (yet, beloved) bastard in the zombie apocalypse.

Much like the comic series, the book didn’t attract me at first. This being the second time I tried to read it, by the way. Something about Robert Kirkman’s style distracts me from the story. Caveat, though, for those of you who never picked up an issue: This is not the same universe as the TV series. Do not expect to see the same mild temper—yes, mild tempered—Governor of TV fame. The events that happen are not for the weak of heart or those who don’t like chauvinistic plot devices. I may write more about that later.

Over all, the book is worth the read.

The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. An e-book edition is available for Kindle and Nook.

Now Marvel is no stranger to zombies. So when I saw Night of the Living Deadpool, I grimaced . That’s what we needed, another Marvel Zombies story arc. Only, this isn’t that. Deadpool awakes from a food coma to find that he’s the last living superhero alive in the world. A world taken by a plague. A world ravaged by bloodthirsty, flesh-hungry zombies. Zombies that still have thought. The story is marvelous. It’s hilarious. It’s everything you expect from a Deadpool comic book plus zombies. And the art? Well, let’s just say it’s printed in fabulous black and white and red.

Zombie fiends and Dead(pool) Heads will love it. The four-part series will hit trade form later this year. You can pre-order now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I started working on Angela’s comic book education. Starting with three Batman stories, I’m introducing her to the great writers Frank Miller and Alan Moore. It’s Moore’s book that I managed to read for the second time. The first time I picked up The Killing Joke, I didn’t pick up at all. I downloaded a copy online and read it off the computer.

Having it in my library for the first time reminded me just how different the story art pops. How it aids in the story telling. The book sent chills down my back. And while I know better, I still like to think that I understand the ending in the sense of Internet rumors go. No spoilers, I promise.

The Killing Joke is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. A digital edition is also available for Kindle and Nook.

That’s all for now. Until next time, keep on huntin’.