The Relic Master by Christopher Buckley

In the year 1517 Dismas the relic hunter procures authentic religious relics for Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony and soon-to-be Cardinal Albrecht of Mainz. Both men are competing for the greatest collection of genuine relics outside of Rome. Frederick is building a college and supports Martin Luther. Albrecht has bought his way to his current position and sells indulgences to fund his growing political ambitions . Although both are men of faith, they couldn't be more unlike. Dismas fills their wish lists for relics as best he can but the time is nearing when he dreams of settling in the mountains and finding a lovely lass. When Dismas loses all the money he has saved for this dream he and his friend, famed painter Durer come up with a scheme to discover one last great relic. Dismas genuinely cares for Uncle Frederick but Albrecht is a different matter, so the two friends decide that the to be Cardinal shall have his most wanted relic, the true burial shroud of Christ. But when Durer's unknown personal touch to the shroud is discovered Dismas' fraud is brought to light and his punishment is severe. Frederick steps in to keep him alive but negotiating with Albrecht is not as straight forward as it seems and his continued existence becomes dependent on fulfilling a penance Albrecht finds fitting. Dismas shall travel to Savoy where he will steal the Shroud of Chambery and return it to Albrecht. Only then can he finally have the life he's been planning. That is if the journey along the way doesn't see Dismas killing Durer, or having the mercenaries sent with him killing him. Or avoiding an entanglement with a possible witch being chased by a lusty count or finding out that they may not be the only ones with the intention of stealing this famous European relic.

Set against the backdrop of Europe this book resonates with a sharp witty look at the prevailing changes in religion, science, art, and political intrigue of the times. It is an adventure filled with comedy and poignant characters and Buckley has worked the historical details of the Shroud of Turin's origins in beautifully. A definite recommend for those who are interested in this era or just looking for a good historical read.

Vicious (Vicious #1) by V.E. Schwab

What happens when you recognize a piece of yourself in someone else? In the glimmer of their eyes, in their stance, you see the same dark edge that also hides in you and you feel the bond only to discover that the connection isn't a blessing but a burden and in time the seat of vengeance. 

Eli and Victor are not two sides of a coin, they are superimposed shades of each other which has brought them to the edge of the abyss and where one leads the other follows in a successful experiment where a near death experience will create a power based on their last moments. Their growing competitiveness is now a rift between them as Victor's decision not to let Eli leave him behind sets off a chain reaction that will set the now enemies on a collision course. One incapable of being wounded, the other capable of absorbing pain or releasing it. One knows that he is not completely human but still worthy of living, the other thinks he has been given a chance to exterminate others like him to protect humanity. Even if he must take lives to do so.

This is a tangled tango of two monsters who take powers onto themselves that are beyond anything we could comprehend outside of comic books. As we travel along and meet others like them, it is Eli and Victor that grip you and make you question which side you want to be on. There are no good guys here, only the demons within come out to play. The only thing you have to decide is what resides in your soul. An addictive read which will make you all ask yourselves, if I had super powers would I use them for good or evil? Would I even care? 

This is the first in a series and well written. There are a few hiccups but quite frankly you will be too invested in seeing who comes out on top to care. So pick this book up and decide which monster appeals to your inner nature. Be prepared to read into the early morning hours.

Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle #3 by Jim Butcher Ardian Syaf (Illustrator)

First off if you're a Harry Dresden fan than you have to get your hands on this comic/graphic novel. Welcome to the Jungle is a brand new story written exclusively for comics and includes a note from the author about why he unwaveringly will continue to call them comics. Also, you get to see exactly what Butcher imagines Harry really looks like and the illustrator Adrian Syaf does not disappoint. Reading this was like falling in love with comics all over again but now there was the added benefit of a one two punch of satisfaction from another paranormal round with Harry Dresden. 

The Lincoln Park Zoo has a dead security guard and many unanswered questions. In one of their first cases Murphy calls in Dresden to investigate and determine whether this was indeed an animal attack or something much more dangerous. With his capabilities it takes little time for Harry to realize that not only is there more to the murder than was suspected but that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Somewhere in the zoo an ancient evil is stirring and Harry is standing dead center in the way of its goal. This time even Harry himself may not be enough to ward off the evil powers that be.

Full of Dresden's wry humor and heroic deeds this is another great addition to the mythos Butcher has created. The illustrations match the story pace for pace with a sense of realistic urban grittiness. All in all definitely worth your time whether you're new to Dresden's world or a hopeless addict.

Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 (Mouse Guard, #2) by David Petersen

This graphic novel is the second collection in the Mouse Guard series and is beautifully rendered and reads just like a good fantasy should. It can be read as a stand alone, although you are cheating yourself if you don't read Mouse Guard Fall 1152. Petersen has struck the perfect chord between satisfying story line and gritty graphic. Although the intrepid adventurers in these books are mice it is just as easy to imagine oneself in their place. 

This book continues the tale with the harsh winter settling in and the Mouse Guard sent out to gather both supplies from neighboring cities and trying to improve relations. Their diplomatic mission is further hampered when Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, and Sadie, led by Celanawe are faced with a relentless enemy hunting them and an unexpected event which causes them to be separated into two groups. With Lockhaven dependent on their swift return with needed supplies and medicine this could spell disaster for all. For as before, treachery is brewing both in and under Lockhaven and this may be its last stand.

These are tales of heroes and courage, of betrayal, friendship and the hardships that face even the simplest in times of need. Well executed, accompanied by images that are vivid yet as harsh as the winter facing our characters. These are not the kind of mice you'd see from Disney, these are battle hardened warriors, diminutive in size but more than capable of delivering a story that you can sink your teeth into. I'd recommend this as a great introduction to what a literary graphic novel can be. 

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Colette Iselin is living a lie. Her once prosperous family is now divided and her, her mother and brother have become less well to do than they once were. But with two friends at the top of the social scene who are definitely not down trodden, Colette needs to keep up appearances, especially as she is spending the next week on a school trip to Paris.

Paris, the city of romance and culture. Colette's family hails from France so once she sets foot there she feels like she belongs. Even if there are a series of horrible murders occurring within walking distance of Versailles, the magic of Paris and a certain young Frenchman are undeniable. But when Colette begins to see strange visions and catches glimpses of a pale woman following her where ever she goes, she begins to realize that her family history may be the key to solving the murders and preventing her from being the next victim.

Colette's current struggle to climb the social hierarchy may be a reflection of her family's past attempts to do the same at all costs. Will Colette fall into the same trap and have to face a reckoning of her own or will she find a way to bravely find her own path.

This is a quick, enticing read with a good blend of history, mystery, and French allure. Add a twist of romance and a sprig of social commentary and you've got yourself a good read.

Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe

Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief are a band of mercenaries for hire that have tried the patience of the town they help protect once to often. When they find themselves sent on a quest that turns out to be a trap set to exterminate them they start to take it personally. Can they figure who's out to get them or will they wind up smeared on the bottom of a troll's foot?

These gals are full of booze, and spite, and everything naughty. Probably some of the feistiest, ass kicking heroines you'll come across engaging with enemies you'll love to see beaten to a pulp. They're a team of crusty warriors but buried deep down is a true bond of friendship that helps them overlook things like having a blood thirsty squid as a religious icon or being a rebel and shaving off your dwarven beard. What sells these gals is that they are as human as the reader. Like it's characters this series is fun, filled with mischief, and too good not to pick up.

Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket (Ivy Pocket #2) by Caleb Krisp

This is the second installment in a trilogy and yes, they do need to be read in order and are worth the wait!

Krisp makes me think of a blend of Lemony Snickett and Edward Gorey. He has a wonderful turn with phrases and his quick paced wit conjure up adventures that would thrill the bravest of hearts. His Ivy is a mad dash mixture of what I imagine Amelia Bedelia would be if she was written for an older audience as a young girl. She is charmingly irreverent, brave, and whimsical and will delight any young reader.

In this second book we find that Ivy, having been " adopted " by a couple who runs a discount funeral home has, far from finding a safe haven, unknowingly stepped into the midst of a great mystery revolving around the couple's daughter and a young man who simply vanished off the face of the earth. With pleas from the family of the missing gentleman to help them find answers, Ivy finds herself with her hands full as she fights off the nefarious Miss Always and her locks, french baguettes can come in quite handy thank you, and when the local librarian unwittingly gives Ivy the potential tool to help rescue her lost friend Ivy jumps at the chance as only a true friend would. Using the Clock Diamond Ivy finds that not all is as it seems and that the rescuer may indeed be the one in need of rescue after all. But not to fear for Ivy has the cleverness of a great spy and the ability to outwit anyone whom she faces. 

These books are hysterical, full of wonderfully descriptive adventures, and a heroine who cannot understand why anyone would ever call her abilities into question. After all if she can cure face moles by sticking a toad on them what can't she do? Add these books to your child's summer reading and sit back and listen to them giggle.

Spells of Blood and Kin by Claire Humphrey

I received this as an ARC from the publisher but the review is my own.

Lissa Nevsky has just lost her grandmother and inherited her responsibilities. She has become both feared and respected by her community's members who cling to the ancient beliefs of magical rituals. She is a witch with no friends, a family all but foreign to her and a power that carries great risk. And now she has a new problem, his name is Maksim Volkov and he has come to collect on a debt owed by Lissa's grandmother. However, the price that such an act requires will go against everything that Lissa was taught. But as Maksim fights against a nature so dark its claws can not be dulled by simple folk magic both will come to see that coming to terms with what we will do to survive is the greatest threat of all.

This is a fine introduction to Humphrey's writing style; modern, sharp, gilded with the acid touch of being unlike others. The characters in this story are not just puppets being pulled along with the narrative, they are vicious, snarling, fighting for every step they take and in doing so they ask us to invest in their existence and question ours. 

This is not an easy book to review and there were moments when I felt like there was something missing or I was missing something and I am not the biggest fan of the ending. But having said that, Humphrey's has evoked a story full of tragedy, darkness, and the eternal grasp on hope that humanity clings to. In the end I feel that this is a tale of discovery into the frontiers of human nature and reading it will give you a glimpse of yours.