Book Review: My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond, Illustrated by Alla Alekseyeva

Photo taken from Goodreads

Book Info

  
Title:  My Sparkling Misfortune

Author:  Laura Lond; Illustrated by Alla Alekseyeva
Publisher:   Dream Books LLC

Language: English

Format:  E-book (Adobe Digital Edition)

Pages:  80 pages
Source:  Reviewer's digital copy from the author, Laura Lond

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Summary

From Goodreads: 

"Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a sparkling instead a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains plans. Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of best interests is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind."

Review

Are you a hero or a villain?  Answer carefully, or you might find you have misjudged yourself.  Take Lord Arkus, lord of Blackriver Castle, one of the most feared villains of his time - he himself has said so.  He had no illusions about being a hero, he was a villain through and through.  So how did he end up with such a kind, tender-hearted and powerful sparkling named Tulip, a.k.a. Jarvi?  If that is not an enough reason yet to read My Sparkling Misfortune, a book written by Laura Lond and exquisitely illustrated by Alla Alekseyeva, then maybe this would change your mind:

Imagine a black-hearted (if he indeed has a heart) villain - cold, calculating, and fiercely stylish (have you ever encountered a frumpy bad guy?), only interested in causing havoc, conquering lands, plundering wealth, and has no second thoughts about hitting his servants.  Can you picture that on your mind?  Probably thinking about Voldemort or a famous super model?  Now, visualize an angelic being whose intentions are pure as a baby's cheek, whose sole purpose of existence is to do good.  These two people are certainly on opposite poles, and when put together, they would certainly repel.  But what really happens is so hilarious, so heart-wrenching, and a little bit insane you would only believe it if you have read the book yourself.

My Sparkling Misfortune is definitely anything but a misfortune.  But its prose does sparkle, the writing humorous and assertive, Lord Arkus' voice genuine and believable.  The characters were vividly drawn, as clear as if seeing them in person while reading about them in the book.  The pace is quick and to the point, and the tone - though it may sometimes sound dire through the characters' points of view - comes off as hilarious, which reminds the reader to be optimistic and find joy in everything, as Tulip-Jarvi does.

The story is uncomplicated and very light, ideal for young readers yet packs quite a punch during intense moments and at every turn, a lesson is unconsciously taught and learned, and every reader would find themselves changed, though they might not immediately notice it.

I am so glad to have met Arkus and Tulip-Jarvi, and I am sure that a lot of readers would also agree once they have finished reading this book, and has gone to witness these two hilariously different creatures' adventures as villains and heroes.

Rating

If you have any questions on this particular rating, please refer to my ratings system here.

Notice

I received this book free of charge from the author, Laura Lond, in exchange for an honest and truthful review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Please contact me for questions, comments, and suggestions.  

Book Review: The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

Photo taken from Goodreads

Book Info

Title:  The Reformed Vampire Support Group

Author:  Catherine Jinks
Publisher:  Harcourt Children's Books

Language: English

Format: Hardcover

Pages:  368 pages

ISBN - 13:  978-0152066093

Source:  Purchased, Celina's Books and Mags

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Summary

From Goodreads: 

"Think vampires are romantic, sexy, and powerful? Think again. Vampires are dead. And unless they want to end up staked, they have to give up fanging people, admit their addiction, join a support group, and reform themselves.

Nina Harrison, fanged at fifteen and still living with her mother, hates the Reformed Vampire Support Group meetings every Tuesday night. Even if she does appreciate Dave, who was in a punk band when he was alive, nothing exciting ever happens. That is, until one of group members is mysteriously destroyed by a silver bullet. With Nina (determined to prove that vamps aren't useless or weak) and Dave (secretly in love with Nina) at the helm, the misfit vampires soon band together to track down the hunter, save a werewolf, and keep the world safe from the likes of themselves."

Review

We've always viewed vampires as these beautiful, seductive, and dead-strong creatures of the night.  We're led to believe the stories of their cold, calculating murderous gazes and their ability to kill us in the blink of an eye (or a bite in the neck as is the case).  But have you ever wondered how an undead person, no blood in his/her veins, unable to ingest foods that provide protein and carbohydrates, unable to absorb vitamin D in sunshine -since they can't get out in the sun (Edward Cullen, et. al  notwithstanding), can survive and even posses superhuman abilities?  I just don't get it.  Pop culture's vampires just defy common sense.

 

Enter Catherine Jinks' The Reformed Vampire Support Group.  A new breed of vampires who are neither strong nor beautiful nor cunning - these vampires are totally eligible for hospice care and no human would even be harmed.  They are almost always tired, weak, unable to stare at bright lights for fear of hemorrhage, and none looks like the vampires of famous vampire books that have romanticized those beings.  Yes, I know the Everything you know about vampires is wrong thing has been getting old for quite some time already but I am overlooking that fact with this book since it's so funny.  And you know how I love anti-paranormal fiction.  In the great tradition of I Kissed A Zombie, and I Liked It by Adam Selzer, you probably get that I am that kind of reader who loves those hilarious books that poke fun at these romanticized creatures that most people would go crazy over. 

Which is why while most people would probably roll their eyes and think, Not another vampire book, I am totally endorsing this book to all readers out there who would just like to read a humorous, light story that pokes a little fun on perhaps one of the most formidable paranormal character out there.  And that's not just because this book is hilarious.  Other aspects of this book are very solid and spot on that it might lead you to believe, in some parts of this book, that the popular vampire lore is just so stupid and impractical and would even have an urge to hail Jinks as the new Anne Rice (or Stephenie Meyer?  Bram Stoker?) for the realistic portrayal of a fictional character that has for ages been believed as frightful and powerful, which is the complete opposite of these pathetic, down-on-their-luck beings.  The voices are captured in a way that you would think every character had their own chapter in the book when really, the whole story is told by Nina, this really apathetic and pessimistic vampire.  You get to know more about her through her narrative than through whatever she might tell you about herself.  The same goes for the other characters - they or the narrator would tell you something about them, but the way they would speak and act would help you better in getting to know them.  It's like watching their movie and reading their book at the same time because they appear so vivid in your head you're afraid you might be hallucinating (which I may be).  

As for the plot, it is simple enough to understand and too uncomplicated that no reader would think it's hard to wade through or very inconsistent with prior developments.  I like that Ms. Jinks once mentioned in her website:  "My mantra for writing fantasy/paranormal fiction is 'realistic, realistic, realistic'."  And it shows.  No need to use very intricate devices in bringing out a story to a thrilling climax and satisfactory resolution, she was able to bring the story to quite an undemanding but very vindicating close, and even though some would disagree that the novel is altogether devoid of 'complications,' all of them were dealt quite simply and the readers never get confused.

I would also like to point out that for me, the book cover totally hits the mark on how the characters looked.  My brother also noticed that on this book and it really helped us understand and appreciate this story and its characters more, and made it even more funny and vivid.

So go ahead and grab a copy of this book.  I heard that the new book off this series is out, The Abused Werewolf Support Group, and if I were you, better read this book first before getting the new one.  To help you laugh at and feel for them some more.

Rating

If you have any questions on this particular rating, please refer to my ratings system here.

Notice

All opinions expressed in this book review are my own and not influenced by any party in any way.

Please contact me for questions, comments, and suggestions.