The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks (Sam Maggs)

Release Date: May 12th 2015

Synopsis:
Fanfic, cosplay, cons, books, memes, podcasts, vlogs, OTPs and RPGs and MMOs and more - €”it'€™s never been a better time to be a girl geek. The Fangirl'€™s Guide to the Galaxy is the ultimate handbook for ladies living the nerdy life, a fun and feminist take on the often male-dominated world of geekdom. With delightful illustrations and an unabashed love for all the in(ternet)s and outs of geek culture, this book is packed with tips, playthroughs, and cheat codes for everything from starting an online fan community to planning a convention visit to supporting fellow female geeks in the wild.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Let me just start by saying that this is a must read for every fangirl (or fanboy). Although this is mostly aimed at fangirls, I wholeheartedly believe fanboys could take a lot from it, not only in terms of tips for conventions, new books and fandoms, but also in the matter of understanding your fangirl friends.
Overall, this is basically a how-to guide, a Bible, almost, for fangirls all over the world, veteran or new to a specific fandom. I am relatively new to most pop culture fandoms, but with this I feel like I just read a manual on fan culture.
The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy covers everything that matters, honestly. It teaches you how to start crashing into the world's favourite fandoms, how to fangirl over them, how to show your love, how to pack for, handle and react at conventions, how to speak fanfic language, how to deal with online friends and trolls and how to be proud of your gender and fangirl-dom.
Sam Maggs was able to write such an empowering, honest and funny book that teaches you the ways of the world and how to make it a better place through your love of Sherlock and Harry Potter.
It's written in an insightful, inspiring, hilarious and true manner, making you feel like you are part of all of it, and, most importantly, that your input and your existence in the geek world matters.
This is, most of all, a way of showing you that your passion for the things you love and your imagination and creativity can change the world and improve your life, if you just embrace it and don't let yourself get defeated by the haters. It features interviews with women that have made fangirl their jobs (kinda) and grown into loving what they do and sharing it with the rest of human kind.
While reading this I felt like I had finally met someone who understood the true awesomeness of being a nerd in real life. It was my favourite part of the book, besides its useful information on all of the things. I felt included while laughing the whole time.
The perfect book to read at all times, and I can't recommend it enough to everyone who is curious about the huge part of today's culture that are fandoms.

A Free Man (Michel Basilières)

Release Date: May 1st 2015

Synopsis: 
An unusual and remarkable dystopian novel
A Free Man is a satirical tall tale presented as the drug and alcohol fuelled conversation of two old friends getting reacquainted over one night. It’s also a boy-meets-girl story of the worst kind and a time travel story about a future where the world is ruled by robots and humans are vermin. When timelines cross, the world as we know it bends . . .
Skid Roe is completely self-absorbed and delusional. His struggle to exercise free will is constantly hampered by the physical manifestation of his inner demons and by the norms and rules of contemporary life. He’s both aided and hindered by Lem, a robot from the future whose good intentions leave Skid on the run from a shadowy state security agency.
A surreal, beautiful, and powerful literary mash-up, Basilières’ long-awaited sophomore effort is inventive and darkly funny.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
My first impression of this book was a bit mixed and I couldn't help but feel rather confused and, to be honest, turned-off by the beginning. However, from the very first page there is just something in A Free Man that makes you keep reading, something so obscure and fascinating that you can't realise it until you finish. That something, for me, was the thought-provoking message that was deeply rooted in the overall story, which was as weird and bizarre as it was possibly the most provocative idea I have read about in a very long time.
The main idea of this book is to consider and ponder about the future and what it may hold for us, humans, as a species, through the story of an extremely curious set of characters. That theme was dealt in such a peculiar way by the author that you are kind of distracted from that plot in favour of another major theme: drug use. I couldn't help but wonder, all the way through, if that was actually a real story lived by the main character, Skid, or just product of his drug-fueled delusions.
There was a massive group of bizarre and almost grotesque characters, sub-plot lines and elements all throughout the story and I must give kudos to the author, Michel Basilières, for his extraordinary storytelling technique that he demonstrated in A Free Man.
There is a lot going on, but it felt like it just went by in a flash, leaving us there to deal with the aftermath of what we had just witnessed. That was one of the best parts about this, as I'd never before felt like I did after finishing this story. I felt almost like I should keep it hidden, not tell anyone I'd read it because it was so strange and rude.
As far as characters go, they were all definitely flawed and incredibly complex in a way that is impossible to describe, not to mention utterly cringe-worthy and detestable.
When it comes to thinking about the future, I believe this book adopts a certain Orwell-esque approach while thinking of what will be of our world and ourselves in hundreds of years. Like I mentioned before, this was one of the most thought-provoking dystopian books I have ever experienced and I reckon it will feel that way for a lot of people. Absolutely recommend this, despite it's strong language and heavy themes.

The Suicide Exhibition (Justin Richards)

Synopsis:  
The threat is not new. The aliens have been here before.
The German war machine has woken an ancient threat - the alien Vril and their Ubermensch have returned. With this new power, ultimate Victory in the war for Europe is now within the Nazis' grasp.Obsessed with the Occult, Hitler and other senior Nazis believed they were destined to inherit the Earth. To this end, they are determined to recover 'their' ancient artifacts -- the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, the Spear of Destiny. When Dunkirk veteran and Foreign Office trouble-shooter Major Guy Pentecross stumbles across a seemingly unbelievable conspiracy, he, together with pilot and American spy Sarah Diamond and SOE operative Leo Davenport, enter the shadow world of Section Z. All three have major roles to play as they uncover the Nazis' insidious plot to use the Vril's technology to win the war... at any cost.
Justin Richards has an extremely credible grasp of WWII history and has transformed it into a groundbreaking alternate reality thriller in The Suicide Exhibition.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
Even after reading the synopsis several times, I still couldn't completely picture what this book could have within its pages. As I started reading, I got more confused than before. From the first introductory page, the whole concept and story is incredibly intriguing and the fact that it's hard to wrap our minds around it contributes to its brilliance.
Firstly, the writing pulls you right in, as if you were caught up in a vortex that spits you out at the end questioning everything you thought was true. It was fabulously engaging, absorbing and provocative, in a way that you, deep down, know that what you're reading is practically impossible, but, in that moment, Justin Richards is telling it to you with such certainty and persuasion that you can't help but wonder.
The story itself was fantastically built. If it had been executed any other way it could have gone completely wrong. However, the author turned it around and created one of the most original and uncommon plot lines I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Like I mentioned, in the beginning I was rather confused as to what was exactly happening, but in a way that I just wanted to keep on reading to find out exactly what was behind all those crazy events. Richards was, basically, able to join two of my favourite things: World War II and aliens, and do it in a genuine, riveting and thought-provoking way.
As for the characters, I found each and every one of them to be realistically represented, amazingly likable and altogether peculiar. The manner in wich we got their perspectives, alternating during the course of a chapter was so gripping, leaving us in the edge of our seats, biting our nails in anticipation. There wasn't one character that I couldn't love, even if they were absolutely detestable people.
The ending was entirely satisfactory, although it was also a huge cliff-hanger. All the little story threads were tied and resolved, but with that came new questions, opening way for a promising, action-packed sequel.
The best word I can find to describe this book is 'exciting'. A recommendation that I can't express enough times.

Cube Sleuth (David Terruso)

Synopsis:  
Bobby Pinker hates his humdrum corporate job. He only has one friend at work, a comedian named Ron. Just as their friendship starts to blossom, Ron is found dead in the office parking garage.
The police rule Ron’s death a suicide, but Bobby becomes convinced one of his coworkers murdered him. He starts snooping around the office, slipping voice-activated tape recorders under desks, breaking into the HR filing cabinet, and tailing people home.
Bobby’s investigation will likely get him fired. It will possibly get him arrested. And if he isn’t careful, it just might get him killed.
Cube Sleuth is a dark comedy and an amateur-detective murder mystery.
A tragedy told with comedic timing.
And a raunchy tale of a twenty-something bachelor whose libido leads him down a dangerous path.
If you like mysteries with richly developed characters, crisp dialogue, bizarre twists, and boner jokes, this is the book for you.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
I didn't have a clue as to what I was going to find in the pages of this book, but I couldn't be happier with the result of an impulse download.
Firstly, David Terruso was able to develop his characters so well, it felt like Bobby was really telling us his story. I loved how we got to go incredibly deep into all the characters backstories, making them fantastically complex and real. As for Bobby Pinker, I found him to be one of the most likable unlikable characters I have ever encountered. He was truly a good guy, in a way, but he also had so many flaws and problems, was so strangely messed up, I couldn't decide exactly what to think of him, although his progress and evolution were fantastic. Terruso did a great job at allowing us to see inside his mind and understand his actions. His relationship with Ron was wonderful and shocking, especially as we went deeper and deeper into what happened before Ron's death.
I loved the aspect of a completely amateur detective, how he changed the course of his life for his best friend and the woman he loved. The result was an insanely dark comedy, hilarious to the point of containing numerous laugh out loud moments, as well as heartwarming situations. This book had it all, and showed how to disguise a deep, meaningful story behind silly conversations about a crazy theory.
The ending was nothing near predictable, at least not Bobby's ending. After finishing I had to take a moment and reread it to make sure I had read correctly the first time. Despite that, every loose end tied up wonderfully, making of this book one of the most unconventional yet enjoyable mysteries I have read in a very long time. It really felt like nothing was left unsaid, but the characters continued on long after the ending.
I was incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to read and review this book, and I was even more excited when I received an invitation from the publisher to read David Terruso's newest book, 'Lost Touch'. As for this one, there is only one last thing to say, and it is a huge recommendation to fans of mystery and dark, honest humour alike.

Love Hurts (Malorie Blackman)

Synopsis:  
Have you ever fallen for someone the rest of the world thought you shouldn't have? Malorie Blackman brings together the very best young adult authors writing today in a stunningly romantic collection of love against the odds.
Featuring stories and extracts about modern star-crossed lovers, Love Hurts looks at every kind of relationship, from first kiss to final heartbreak.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
I had great expectations for this book, mostly because of the authors featured in it. Although I didn't hate it, at all, I feel obliged to separate it into two parts: excerpts and original stories.
While requesting 'Love Hurts' I was expecting it to consist, for the most part, of original stories by acclaimed Young Adult authors, but that wasn't the case. In this book, we find only a few stories, mixed in with innumerous extracts from pre-existing books. That's not exactly a bad thing, it just kept me from connecting fully with some of the characters and their stories.I really enjoyed getting to read these YA books I had hear of before, even if just a small bit. And they were wonderful to experience, as they left me even more excited to read the full books. However, there were some that seemed out of place, as there were various references I didn't understand, characters that I didn't know, and allusions to previous events, necessary to understand the present situation, or the character's decisions. This lead to a bit of confusion, especially in the first few pages.
I'm not saying that's the book's problem, I'm just acknowledging that it definitely hurt my reading experience.
Despite not completely loving some of the excerpts featured, I'm incredibly curious to read every book they came from, and get to know more of the author's writing.
Now, what really enhanced my rating for this anthology were the original stories. I can't think of one I wouldn't give five stars to or read a full book about. I would say, though, that my favourites were Malorie Blackman's and James Dawson's stories, as they show different and unconventional characters and their amazing relationships through beautiful and poignant writing.
Overall, 'Love Hurts' was, despite all its flaws, a beautiful book, showing all kinds of love, from heartbreaking breakups to painfully powerful love, LGBT relationships set in unique surroundings and romance that can spark even for those considered disabled.
I would absolutely recommend this to people who love love and/or understand how it can hurt to love too much or not enough.

The Fade Out, Vol. 1 (Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips - Illustrations)

Synopsis:  
Brubaker and Phillips' newest hit series, The Fade Out, is an epic noir set in the world of noir itself, the backlots and bars of Hollywood at the end of its Golden Era. A movie stuck in endless reshoots, a writer damaged from the war and lost in the bottle, a dead movie star and the lookalike hired to replace her. Nothing is what it seems in the place where only lies are true. The Fade Out is Brubaker and Phillips' most ambitious project yet!
Collects THE FADE OUT issues #1 to #4

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
Entering this book is going through film History in a whole other way, like a room we are pulled into and come out on the other side with a completely new vision of Old Hollywood,  seeing the darkness behind the glitter.
As always, I will start by saying that the art was absolutely exquisite, completely different from anything I had ever experienced. It was definitely one of the main factors that lead to why I found myself entirely submerged in the story. It set the tone for the plot and its twists and turns, and remained consistent in its somber beauty and enchantment.
The story itself was almost impossible to predict, keeping us guessing until the very last page.
If there is something else to say about 'The Fade Out', is that it shows a reality mixed with the fiction of what happens backstage, when the cameras stop rolling. There's nothing better than to be able to believe what we are reading a true story disguised as fiction, especially when there are references to real actors and events. It adds to the ambience of what has the potential to become one of the best graphic novels of the year.
The characters and their lives will stay with us, and keep us guessing until the authors finally decide to yell 'Cut!'

My Best Everything (Sarah Tomp)

Synopsis:  
You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.
Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.
Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.
Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?
The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
Before requesting this book, I wasn't prepared for how different and interesting it was going to be.
First of all, I had never read a book that featured that moonshine element that was so prominent in this story. I felt like it turned it into a very unique story, opening windows to escape from the usual YA clichés. Besides that, you can read between the lines the work that went into creating that plotline, the research and time it took to understand such an unusual element in a YA book.The writing was also a pleasure to experience. Although it was a bit hard to get used to, like diving into a cold pool, once you were in it, you didn't want to get out. It honestly felt like I was swimming through the story, enjoying every bit.
The only problem I think I had with this book has to do with the characters, specifically the main character. I absolutely loved Mason. I felt like I got to know him and create serious bonds with him. He was a real boy and his story was incredibly fascinating. However, the other characters felt a bit two-dimensional, particularly Lulu's friends, Roni and Bucky. They got their story and it was interesting, but it wasn't enough to make me feel any kind of empathy for them, there wasn't enough for me to know who they were before the story started. The same goes for Lulu. Although I could definitely relate to her on many levels (like her longing for more than what her small town could give her), I couldn't exactly like her. Frankly, she was rather annoying at times and I couldn't force myself to understand her reasons for some decisions she made and some of her actions. I found myself roling my eyes at her thoughts at certain points, despite her many redeeming qualities: she was determined and, when she wasn't being stereotypical tenagery and a rebel, she was incredibly inteligent and even strong.
I really adored the relationship that grew between Mason and Lulu, as well as seeing all the other characters grow and their relationships transform into more meaningful things. I must give kudos to the author, Sarah Tomp, for her exceptional work at character development.
Lastly, I loved the scene where Lulu and Mason meet through Mason's perspective that I read during the Spring YA Scavenger Hunt. It was available during a short period of time, and it was an incredible deleted scene I loved reading.
With all that said, I must acknowledge that this was an immensely enjoyable and fascinating read and could become one of my favourites of this year. Sarah Tomp has a natural talent for storytelling, and that comes through in My Best Everything.