Bookstooge's Reviews On the Road

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Fullmetal Alchemist #27 - 2.5Stars

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Title: Fullmetal Alchemist #27
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist
Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 212
Words: 10K

I skipped to the final volume to see how things ended and to see if it was really worth my time wading through an extra 16 volumes. My verdict is a resounding no.

While there was a lot of unexplained stuff, I was still able to grasp the broader details. There was a super-homonculi who was trying to become a god and Edward pretty much punches him to death. Yeah, the power of brotherly love, blah, blah, blah. Then everyone gets a relatively happy ending and Al gets his body back because Ed exchanges his ability to perform alchemy for it.

I didn’t care. I didn’t care how everything had gotten to the point where it was. I know the ending now. If I want to see all the inbetween parts, I might try the anime. But given how I am reacting to returning to manga (ie, realizing I am pretty much done with it, period), I don’t know if I want to try anime again either.

I read this the same day that I read the Groo comic. I thoroughly enjoyed Groo and did not enjoy this. Just like I didn’t enjoy the One Piece volume I read earlier this month. I just have to face the fact that my time with manga is done. I hate coming to realizations like that. It means I’ve changed and while change is a good thing, I still don’t like it.

★★✬☆☆

From FMA.fandom.com

From the back of the volume:

"The Final Chapter! With the help of Hohenheim and their allies, the Elric brothers launch a desperate final attack against the homunculus “father.” But to claim victory, some may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. And when the dust clears, will a happy ending await our favorite characters in the final volume of Fullmetal Alchemist?"

Chapters Included

Chapter 107: The Last Battle

Chapter 108: Journey's End

Bonus Chapter: Another Journey's End

All My "Fullmetal Alchemist" Reviews

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Groo and the Witches of Brujas (Groo the Wanderer #21) 3.5Stars

Title: Groo and the Witches of Brujas
Series: Groo the Wanderer #21
Author: Sergio Aragones
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Comics
Pages: 24
Words: 2K

I not only like the humor of these comics, but I really appreciate Aragones ability to tell a silly story from start to finish in 24 pages. Not only does he do that, he keeps me entertained the whole time and never leaves me feeling like I wasted my time. I appreciate that he appreciates that my time is valuable.

★★★✬☆

From Bookstooge.blog

>Groo is attacked by a wizard and then forced to help two witches against the wizard. They multiply Groo, he fights himself and then escapes with a scary boatman. The comic ends with Groo, the boat and the Boatman about to be sucked down into a whirlpool.

All of My “Groo the Wanderer” Reviews

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

The Oak and the Ram (Eternal Champion: Corum #5) 4Stars

Title: The Oak and the Ram
Series: Eternal Champion: Corum #5
Author: Michael Moorcock
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 118
Words: 42K

Corum ends up helping to kill another of the Cold Gods, those beings stranded on his world from the Void.

This was much less mopey than the previous volume. Corum needs stimulation in his life to keep from settling into despair and running around trying to save the humans does the trick. In many ways, it seems humanity has given up. They don’t even try to survive. If it weren’t for Corum and his drive to fight, to overcome, to conquer the adverse circumstances before him, I don’t see what chance the world itself had. Thankfully, Corum is there and he does fight and he gives humanity a little breathing room.

I enjoyed this but at the same time I could feel that this is probably the last time I will be re-reading this particular book by Moorcock and once I finish the next and final Corum book, I will be done with the Eternal Champion mythos altogether. I am at a point in my life where reading about other peoples’ misery does not engender a feeling of “thank goodness I don’t have to experience that!” but instead it is like an ache of commiseration. Pain and anguish are too real to be enjoyed vicariously. Especially by someone of my temperament.

★★★★☆

From the publisher

The seasons have turned from spring to summer across the quiet earth - yet the Fhoi Myore were hiding in mist, awaiting their chance to unleash their icy realm of death. To defeat the Cold Gods, Corum of the Silver Hand must restore the High King's power with legendary treasures - the Golden Oak and the Silver Ram - lost talismans that wield miraculous forces unknown to Corum...

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Dedication of the High Priestess (The King in Yellow Anthology #10) 2Stars

Title: Dedication of the High Priestess
Series: The King in Yellow Anthology #10
Author: Ephraim Unger
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Cosmic Horror / Short Story
Pages: 33
Words: 10K

This was a short story that the author was kind enough to give me a free copy of. It would have fit into a KIY anthology just fine but since that probably won’t be happening anytime soon, I figured I’d take a stab at a standalone short story. While I enjoyed this in expanding the King in Yellow lore, there were a couple of things that dragged this down to the two star level for me.

The biggest issue was that the main character was 12 years old and has visions of being embraced by the King in Yellow. While cosmic horror should be disturbing, I felt like this crossed into territory that I wasn’t comfortable with. At all.

The second issue was a more technical issue. The story was written in the first person perspective and there was a lot of “he did, she wore, they said”. While some of that is inherent to that perspective, there are ways to mitigate sounding like a sports announcer at a tennis match.

I really wanted to like this more and give it a higher rating. But it is what it is. I do give props for that cover though. Ohhhhh, that is some good art right there.

★★☆☆☆

From Bookstooge.blog

A 12 year old ballerina is drawn into the world of the King in Yellow and becomes his high priestess. She brings him into our world and ushers in a new age of cosmic horror.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Black Sun Rising (Coldfire #1) 2Stars

Title: Black Sun Rising
Series: Coldfire #1
Author: Celia Friedman
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 524
Words: 200K

Have you read or heard about stories where the main character is a woman but all the reviewers describe her as a man with boobs and absolutely crucify the author? I’ve read a couple of those. This is kind of the opposite. There are supposed to be two men but they are really women with swords.

♪Feelings, it’s all about Feelings♪

Goodness, I could have floated a boat with all the feelings going on. Mr Evil Vampire is so evil that he tortured and killed his own wife and children to get the power to live forever. But he cares for the Pagan Sorceress and doesn’t want to hurt her. The Ultimate Bad Boy, yet one who is sensitive and loving on the inside and not really a bad guy at all. Mr Paladin is supposed to be in love with the Pagan Sorceress and travels into untold dangers to save her. He even, gasp, puts aside his vow of destruction for Mr Evil Vampire because she means so much to him. I’m guessing he had a chiseled chin and 3 days of stubble, all the time.

Yeah, this was not my thing. The men in the story have a goal but are always sidetracked by their feelings instead of doing what needs to be done. It was sickening, like eating a steak only to find out it is actually cotton candy in disguise. This book gave me the same exact vibes from when I read Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts. I will be avoiding anything else by Celia Friedman from here on out. AND. It took me two whole weeks to get through this. Not even the Russians take me that long.

For a much more positive take on things, check out Matt’s Review.

★★☆☆☆

From Bookstooge.blog

A Paladin, a Vampire and a Pagan Sorceress walk into a bar. The Bartender immediately kicks them out for being so cliched that it hurts.

Friday, September 08, 2023

Cthulhu 2000 (Cthulhu Anthology #12) 3Stars

Title: Cthulhu 2000
Series: Cthulhu Anthology #12
Editor: Jim Turner
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Cosmic Horror
Pages: 440
Words: 178K

I have to admit, I was hoping for a little more from this collection. The editor talks about the various stories at the beginning of the book and mentions that the final story by Zelazny might be difficult to fit into a Cthulhu collection. He wasn’t kidding. Zelazny’s story had NOTHING to do with cosmic horror and came across as nothing more than adding a big name to sell the collection. Color me unimpressed.

I did like “Pickman’s Modem”, as I love it when technology dates itself to a point where I can remember using that stuff. The modem in question is a 2400 baud modem. Oh yeah, those were the good ol’ days! The rest of the stories were simply ok (outside of Zelazny) and while I don’t regret that I read them, I do wish they’d been a little bit tastier.

Hopefully the next collection will be better.

★★★☆☆

Table of Contents:

The Barrens, F. Paul Wilson
Pickman’s Modem, Lawrence Watt-Evans
Shaft Number 247, Basil Copper
His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood, Poppy Z. Brite
The Adder, Fred Chappell
Fat Face, Michael Shea
The Big Fish, Kim Newman
“I Had Vacantly Crumpled It into My Pocket … But by God, Eliot, It Was a Photograph from Life!”, Joanna Russ
H.P.L., Gahan Wilson
The Unthinkable, Bruce Sterling
Black Man with a Horn, T.E.D. Klein
Love’s Eldritch Ichor, Esther M. Friesner
The Last Feast of Harlequin, Thomas Ligotti
The Shadow on the Doorstep, James P. Blaylock
Lord of the Land, Gene Wolfe
The Faces at Pine Dunes, Ramsey Campbell
On the Slab, Harlan Ellison
24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai, Roger Zelazny

All of My “Cthulhu Anthology” Reviews

Thursday, September 07, 2023

Old Man’s Cave (Bone #33-37) 3Stars

Title: Old Man’s Cave
Series: Bone #33-37
Author: Jeff Smith
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Comics
Pages: 128
Words: 5K

I don’t know what to say about this. I semi-enjoyed it and yet I found myself seriously not caring about the overall story. I also was not being very entertained. Not a very good combination.

I only have 3 more omnibus volumes left but I don’t know if I’ll hang in there or not. My patience with the visual art side of books has dramatically dropped. I want the pure words. Art has a way of making artist/authors think they can get away with poor story telling by covering it up with pretty pictures.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, sigh…..

★★★☆☆

From Boneville.fandom.com

Fone Bone and Smiley Bone are seeking for something.
Wow, good job Bone fans, you outdid yourselves this time! You bunch of putzes.

All My "Bone" Reviews

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Traitor (Victor the Assassin #10) 4Stars

Title: Traitor
Series: Victor the Assassin #10
Authors: Tom Wood
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Action/Adventure
Pages: 367
Words: 105K

This was a return to form for Victor the Assassin and a very welcome return in my opinion. Instead of Victor killing boatloads of people because they’re trying to kidnap a retarded kid, Victor is killing boatloads of people because someone betrayed him and is sending killteams after him.

This was a multiple layer story about various jobs that ended up all tying together. And of course, the obvious double cross turns out NOT to be a double cross at all but a mere accident. I thought that bit of a lime twist really added flavor to the story. Victor’s reaction to it however was Classic Victor and exactly what I expected from him.

The only downside was that by the time the story ended Victor was once again in hock to yet another powerful individual/corporation/government. That pattern is old by now even while I acknowledge that it works. It certainly works much better than having Victor “keeping a promise to a kid” so maybe I better be careful what I wish for.

This is the latest release, so now I’m going to have to wait for each new release as it comes out.

★★★★☆

From the Publisher

SOMEONE'S SET HIM UP

SOMEONE'S GOING TO DIE

When Victor is arrested for a murder that, for once, he didn't commit, escape must surely be inevitable for a hitman of his ferocity.

Yet someone wants Victor put away, and he finds himself behind bars, incarcerated by police who have no idea of the monster they are dealing with and have, apparently, tamed.

Quickly, however, his fellow the prisoners realise that he's not trapped in there with them: they are in a cage, with the most dangerous of enemies. And Victor has a traitor to find.

All of My “Victor the Assassin” Reviews

Tuesday, September 05, 2023

Legend of a Hero (One Piece #43) 2Stars

Title: Legend of a Hero
Series: One Piece #43
Arc: Water Seven #12
Author: Eiichiro Oda
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 215
Words: 10K

Fight, fight, fight, fight and fight.

Waaaaaaaaaaaait for it…..

and fight some more.

Yeah, I’m done. I didn’t enjoy this volume. I think I’m burned out on One Piece for quite a while. Back in the ‘00’s I started OP and made it up until vol 29 and had to quit in August of ‘10. I didn’t try again until July of ‘21.

It started well and I loved the zaniness and silliness. But it has turned into a truly massive shonen manga and I’m tired of the fighting. I don’t like how Oda-san draws the fights because I can’t figure out what is going on.

Therefore I am going to stop. I have no plans of ever picking this up again, but if I do, I’ll start here and not try to re-read all the early stuff. But right now, I suspect I’ll be done with this. If I don’t enjoy it, why read it? And I am definitely not enjoying it.

Sighhhhhhhhh. This really feels like my time with manga overall is wrapping up too. I hate changes, even if it is just a part of life.

★★☆☆☆

From Wikipedia:

"Super-Size Nami"

"Nami vs. Kalifa"

"You Missed Your Chance"

"Hunter"

"Sanji vs. Jabra"

"Heat Up"

"Zoro vs. Kaku"

"Asura"

"Luffy vs. Rob Lucci"

"Legend of a Hero"

With the destruction of Enies Lobby imminent, all government personnel begin to evacuate. The Straw Hats continue fighting and, with the exception of Luffy versus Lucci, defeat the remaining members of CP9. Their battles won, they team up and hurry to stop Robin from being taken past the point of no return. They succeed and Robin is freed.

One Piece Reviews

Sunday, September 03, 2023

Gone for Good 2.5Stars

Title: Gone for Good
Series: ----------
Author: Harlan Coben
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 319
Words: 120K

My goodness, this was more jam packed than a mexican soap opera. Let me see if I can summarize the utter madness.

We start out with the Main Character’s mother dying from cancer.
The main character’s brother, 12 years in the past, sleeps with his girlfriend and then either kills her or is killed and removed from the scene. The main character thinks he is innocent and alive, but has no proof.
MC’s current girlfriend disappears without a trace.
Her fingerprints are found at a double murder scene
Her body is subsequently found by the side of the road and identified by her parents
When the MC goes to the funeral, the body in the casket is not his girlfriend
the Girlfriend is alive but somebody else
The MC investigates things with the younger sister of his murdered previous girlfriend (12 years ago GF)
they uncover that the brother is alive and that some of his associates are high rollers and one is a big time assassin.
Witness Protection is involved
The older brother cut a deal, then ran to protect his current girlfriend and newborn baby
The assassin is after the older brother
WitSec is after the older brother
The Mob Boss is after the older brother
MC just wants to see and protect his older brother
MC and younger sister girl are kidnapped but escape, thus crushing the plans of both the Assassin and the Mob Boss
Everyone is happy
Everyone meets up for a secret meeting to welcome back the older brother.
IT’S A TRAP!!!!!!
The older brother turns out to be a murdering rapist
Who stole the MC’s baby from the old girlfriend
it was all witnessed by the younger sister
Assassin was in love with Older Sister and had vowed to protect her
Assassin then kills Older Brother
MC has a girlfriend who he doesn’t know much about and a 12 year old daughter who thinks he’s her uncle

TADA! No hablo burrito taca el grande mucho. Mucho mucho mucho grande taco burrito!!!

See, more drama than you can shake a big taco at. I was ready to quit this about 10 times, every time a new revelation happened. It didn’t help that the main character was a fething pansy. He couldn’t protect himself, much less anybody else. But he still kept bleating platitudes about protecting his girlfriend or the younger sister, while failing spectacularly every time. When it’s revealed at the end that he has a 12 year old daughter, maaaaaan, did I feel bad for her. Her daddy is a big fat wuss and she better learn to protect herself real quick!

And yet I will read more by Coben. Of course, if he keeps using pansy wussies for main characters, I suspect I won’t last many more books. He better write some better characters pronto. Mucho pronto in fact.

★★✬☆☆

From Wikipedia.org

As a boy, Will Klein had a hero: his older brother, Ken. Then, on a warm suburban night in the Kleins' affluent New Jersey neighborhood, a young woman—a girl Will had once loved—was found raped and murdered in her family's basement. The prime suspect: Ken Klein. With the evidence against him overwhelming, Ken simply vanished, spending the next decade as the elusive subject of rumors, speculation, and an international manhunt. When his shattered family never heard from Ken again, they were sure he was gone for good.

Now, eleven years have passed. And Will, who always believed in his brother's innocence, has found evidence that Ken is alive—even as he is struck by another act of betrayal. His girlfriend suddenly disappears, leaving behind compelling evidence that she was not the person Will thought she was. As the two dark dramas unwind around him, Will is pulled into a violent mystery, haunted by signs that Ken is trying to contact him after all these years. Will can feel himself coming closer and closer to his brother... and to a terrible secret that someone will kill to keep buried. And as the lies begin to unravel, Will is uncovering startling truths about his lover, his brother, and even himself.