In The Ravenous Dark : A Review

In The Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland

My Rating: 5 stars!

Cover Rating: 7/10 it’s a really pretty cover. I think it’s beautiful and simple. My only critique is that it feels a bit generic. I do really enjoy it though.

Publisher: Imprint

Publish Date: May 18th, 2021

Number of Pages: 400

Received: I purchased this at a Barnes and Nobel

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead, in this dark YA fantasy by A.M. Strickland, author of Beyond the Black Door, whom Richard Kadrey calls “a storyteller of both grace and power.”

In Thanopolis, those gifted with magic are assigned undead spirits to guard them—and control them. Ever since Rovan’s father died trying to keep her from this fate, she’s hidden her magic. But when she accidentally reveals her powers, she’s bound to a spirit and thrust into a world of palace intrigue and deception.

Desperate to escape, Rovan finds herself falling for two people she can’t fully trust: Lydea, a beguiling, rebellious princess; and Ivrilos, the handsome spirit with the ability to control Rovan, body and soul.

Together, they uncover a secret that will destroy Thanopolis. To save them all, Rovan will have to start a rebellion in both the mortal world and the underworld, and find a way to trust the princess and spirit battling for her heart—if she doesn’t betray them first.

Opening Sentence: There wasn’t much warning the day they came for Rovan’s father.

What I Loved:

This is the book I read that got me back to the feeling I had craved for so long of reading and devouring a book. I couldn’t get enough. I had to know more. To feel more. This book is dark, beautiful, pansexual joy.

Rovan and Lydea. God when these two women were in a room together I felt the heat. I wouldn’t consider this a spicy novel, but the tension and attraction is very much there. Their attraction is instant and so good feeling. I loved every moment they were together.

Rovan and Ivrilos. There’s is the hate to love romance I craved. Add that to the fact Ivrilos can suck the life out of anyone he wishes with a touch and so many layers of tension build. ‘It’s complicated’ is the best way to describe their relationship and I live for it.

Japha. Dear sweet amazing Japha. Their the glue that keeps everyone together. I love them so much. I love their asexual and have that emotional deep connection with Rovan and Lydea. That their a part of the shared love as much as Rovan, Lydea, and Ivrilos are. Asexual relationships are just as deep and connected as sexual ones are. I love that it’s something this novel includes.

Healthy and thriving poly relationship. I deeply appreciate as someone who is open to the idea of polyamory, the way this book handles polyamory. Everyone is so respectful of each other’s desires. Every person loves freely and feels joy for their partners in their other relationships. Everything is handled in an honest and mature way.

Deadly magic. The magic system in this world is so cool. It’s also quite a tragic kind of magic how there’s a legacy to it that results in the death of the parent to give stronger magic to their child. It’s such a layered and unique system that added so much lore and interest to the novel.

All in All:

I highly recommend to read this very enjoyable, beautiful book. It’s romantic and fun and full of heart and mistakes made. The characters are flawed but, that’s what it is to be human. I find it beautiful.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!

Join me in my live streams on Twitch!

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My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!!

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2023: A Whole New Beginning!

My master plan has been brewing for quite some time now. I bet some of you thought I would forget about this blog by now. I dip in and out and I seem to never quite commit. Well, well, well, I’ll have you all know that The Book Raven is back. Ohh, and 2023 is going to be my most productive, fun filled, and insane year yet!

A year of early mornings to stream as StarsWolfe on Twitch and daily writing and posting on here in the nights. That’s right. I will be writing in 2023. I will also be reading and reviewing books in 2023.

I’m very excited to announce I have created a VTuber model for streaming and I’ve figured out how to set it up so that I can use my model and stream from my PlayStation at the same time. I can’t wait for you guys to meet her.

January is going to be me figuring out a new balance with streaming, reading, schooling, and writing. It’s going to be a whole new year with a whole new me to go along with it. I can’t wait to see what comes.

2023 is going to be packed to the brim in so many ways. Surprises and new beginnings galore. Thank you all for deciding to join me on my journey. Happy New Year!

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

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My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!!

Streaming Stray: The Best Cat Game Ever Made

My partner got me Stray for my birthday/ Christmas this year. So of course I immediately put it into my ps5 and started to play. I have to say even from the 30 minutes of gameplay I got to enjoy I can already say it is the best cat game out there. The world and atmosphere is so visually stunning. The love and understanding of cat behavior. It is so beautiful.

So it is no surprise that I will be streaming and getting the platinum for Stray starting tomorrow morning at https://www.twitch.tv/starswolfe ! I have taken a look at a little guide and I hope to explore everything I can on my first run and hopefully at the end of that be able to set up my two hour speed run as the final trophy. If you miss out on any of my streams you can catch up on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@Starswolfe It will be a week or so cat nap kind of break before I continue on streaming God of War Ragnorök on Give Me God of War Mode once more.

After I get the platinum I am planning on sharing a full story analysis and discussing all of my favorite parts of the game as well as what it is like to get the platinum for stray. I hope you all enjoy tuning in and being a part of one of the cutest little journeys I’ll ever embark on. It’ll be full of love, humor, robots, and of course cats. This is going to be the best boost to my mental health there could be yet!

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

If you’d like a quality candle check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!!

Becoming StarsWolfe

One of my favorite things to do for many years to get myself feeling more positive has always been to watch people stream and play video games. For a long time it felt like a pipe dream. I was very aware of the things I didn’t have that would make streaming in the first place impossible. Things like a camera or a good computer I could edit on or even simply the time to stream at all.

However, after many life issues popping up I decided to myself to focus on what I do have. I have a ps5 and a tv I can play it on. I don’t need to have the rest of the supplies just yet to rig a character I can start vtubing as. To start, when I have the time in the mornings to play I can stream it. Over time it can build up on its own.

I have plenty of games I want to play and try to platinum. On my own I’ve been playing and working on getting the platinum for God of War Ragnorok on Give me God of War mode. Streaming the rest of that journey will be so much fun.

Currently I am 18% of the way to getting the platinum for it and there’s plenty more to go. My goal is that every morning for 2 hours or so I’ll be able to stream. Sometimes I’ll stream alone playing single player games and sometimes I’ll be playing with my best friend whatever game she’s excited about playing.

I know I have to take it day by day. However, everyday when I get up now I feel the excitement of doing something that feels so good. Doing something I always wanted to do. Something that had always been a comfort to me when I’d watch videos online. Starting to be able to do that for others and giving people something positive and fun to attach themselves to is a joy to me.

Come have fun with me and watch me stream!

https://twitch.tv/starswolfe

And here’s a link to my current streaming schedule: https://m.twitch.tv/starswolfe/schedule

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

If you’d like a quality candle check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!!

Beast Boy Loves Raven: A Review

Beast Boy Loves Raven

Written by Kami Garcia

Illustrated by Gabriel Piccolo

My Rating: 4 stars!

Cover Rating: 10/10 always with these the artwork is so stunning. It tells the story instantly and any teen titan fan would sure pick this up!

Publisher: DC Comics

Publish Date: September 28th, 2021

Number of Pages: 208

Received: DC Comics sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author KAMI GARCIA (Beautiful Creatures) and artist GABRIEL PICOLO, the creative duo behind the New York Times bestselling graphic novel Teen Titans: Raven, comes the romantic meet-up we have all been waiting for! 

It seems like years, but it’s only been a few days since Raven Roth recovered her memories, trapped her demon father, Trigon, into her amulet, and had her heart broken for the first time. But she doesn’t have time to think about the past…she has to focus on finding a way to get rid of Trigon for good.

Garfield Logan still can’t believe he has powers that allow him to change into different animals, but the price of knowing that his parents kept this secret hidden from him just feels too high. And what’s more, his difficulty controlling these abilities could have unexpected consequences.

Both are seeking answers from the one person who seems to have them all figured out: Slade Wilson.

When their paths converge in Nashville, Raven and Gar can’t help but feel a connection, despite the secrets they both try to hide. It will take a great amount of trust and courage to overcome the wounds of their pasts. But can they find acceptance for the darkest part of themselves? Or maybe even love?

Opening Page:

Musings:

Beast Boy Loves Raven tells the story of how Beast boy, Robin, and Raven all meet. This is the first appearance Robin makes in these comics.

Robin is a mostly serious character who knows what he is doing. He is smart and tactical and very practical. I’m very interested to see how his character is fleshed out in the next comic.

Beast Boy and Raven meet in the same area while they both wait separately for their meetings with Slade. Beast Boy is immediately attracted to Raven and tries to charm her. It takes a while for her to trust him, but she comes around. They make a really cute couple already.

This is my favorite artwork of the whole story. The pain and intensity with the uniqueness of beast boy starting to transform. It’s stunning and also builds up the dynamic of the relationship between Beast Boy and Raven as she tries to figure out what she can do to save him.

All in all:

I really enjoyed reading this! It’s a fun read that makes me want so much more of these stories and I really hope that they do continue this well into the future. I want to see how the Teen Titans assemble in this new storyline.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

Check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!! 

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources:

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

Writing A Novel For My Dad

A long time ago I talked about my dad being very sick. I haven’t mentioned it in a long time mostly dealing with it on my own, but the other night and yesterday afternoon my dad had two episodes that seemed to indicate new mini strokes. I don’t know for sure if that is exactly what it was he didn’t want to be taken to the hospital, but it reminded me all the same that my time on this earth with my dad is limited.

I don’t know how much time I have left with my dad, but I know I want to make the best of it. I know there are certain parts of my life he will never experience by my side. However, one thing I hope he does experience is me writing a book and seeing if I can get it published. My dad is a big part of why I love stories and it’s funny too because he doesn’t like books. Growing up he used to tell me all these fantastic stories.

The other love he taught me was for animals. Especially for insects and among them most importantly to have a love and respect for bees. So, I really want to write and dedicate my bee book idea to my dad.

I know my dad will most likely never read it. He’s blind in one eye and further loosing vision in the other due to his strokes. He never had much patience for reading, but I want him to know that I wrote something for him. Inspired by the love he passed down to me.

Yesterday when I got home from work he talked to me and called me his Angel. That morning he had told me to think positive. So as hard as that is for me I will try. I will put my dad energy into doing something that will make him proud. At the very least have a first draft I can print out and put into his hands. So he would know how much his love has always meant to me.

I love my dad so much. I know cancer and the strokes have changed him so much, but nothing has ever changed his love for me. Even when he’s mad at my mom or wanting someone or something to blame for his illness when I come into the room he still treats me like his little girl.

I know my dad wants me always to remain strong. To always think positive no matter what and to pursue my dreams. So that’s exactly what I’ll do for the rest of my life. During my time on earth with him and during the time he passes on and I will carry him living inside my heart forever more.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Writing this brought me to tears, but it also helped me feel a sense of resolve. My one wish is that this post inspires those reading to be there for their loved ones now and to think positive. Thank you all for being here.

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

Check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!! 

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources:

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

Whistle by E Lockhart and Manuel Preitano: A Review

Whistle by E Lockhart and Manuel Preitano

My Rating: 4 stars!

Cover Rating: 10/10 the cover is stunning. The color scheme, the dynamic duo front and center. It’s beautiful.

Publisher: DC comics

Publish Date: September 7th, 2021

Number of Pages: 208

Received: I received a physical copy in partnership with DC comics.

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author E. Lockhart (Genuine Fraud, We Were Liars) and artist Manuel Preitano (The Oracle Code) comes a new Gotham City superhero in this exciting YA graphic novel.

Sixteen-year-old Willow Zimmerman has something to say. When she’s not on the streets protesting City Hall’s neglect of her run-down Gotham neighborhood, she’s working nights at the local dog shelter. But despite how much she does for the world around her, she’s struggling to take care of her sick mother at home. She’s got no time for boys (though there’s one she really likes), and no means to adopt the amazingly loyal stray Great Dane, Lebowitz, that follows her around. 

Without health insurance and with money running out, a desperate Willow reconnects with an estranged family friend E. Nigma–party promoter, and real estate tycoon. Nigma opens the door to an easier life, offering Willow a new job hosting his glamorous private poker nights with Gotham City’s elites. Now Willow is able to afford critical medical treatments for her mother and get a taste of the high life she’s never had. 

Then everything changes: Willow and Lebowitz are attacked by one of Gotham’s most horrific villains, the monstrous Killer Croc. When they wake after the fight, they can understand each other. And Willow has powers she never dreamed of. 

When Willow discovers that Nigma and his poker buddies are actually some of Gotham’s most corrupt criminals, she must make a choice: remain loyal to the man who saved her mother’s life, or use her new powers to save her community.

Opening Page:

Musings:

Whistle shows how easy it can be to see things in a grey area. Willow is a girl that cares very much about the environment and often goes to protests and volunteers. Her job helping animals doesn’t pay so much, but she loved helping the dogs everyday. She also worries a lot about her mom who has cancer and is worried that they can’t pay the bills so when ‘E. Nigma’ (a.k.a the riddle (also her uncle)) offers her a job that’ll pay her well enough to easily take care of all expenses, she easily says yes.

Very soon her new job begins to change her and setting up these illegal gambling parties starts to turn her into this new person who never has time to volunteer or help a cause and her crush notices.

An encounter with Killer Croc changes all that. Willow and the stray dog she’d cared for get injured by killer croc and their DNA gets tied together. With their new found powers, Willow decides on what kind of hero she’d like to be.

I really enjoyed seeing poison Ivy in this story. The ultimate understandable villain trying to save the ecosystem who makes herself known by greening buildings.

In this really neat way it’s like poison Ivy reminds Willow of who she always was:

A person who worked towards making the world better for the environment and the people and creatures who live there. The person that her crush really loved being around.

I love how rich it’s been to discuss the story. Yet, one of my favorite things about this comic is the art. It’s such a consistent and gorgeous style throughout. My absolute favorite panel is this one:

The artwork is stunning. There’s a bit of green to everything almost always. The parts without it are the parts where she hasn’t been touched by villainy and I found that to be a really neat touch.

All in all:

I really had a great time reading this! I very much recommend ‘Whistle’. Willow is a hero whose adventures I’d love to see continuing on in the future.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

Check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!! 

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources:

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

Teen Titans: Beast Boy: A Review

Teen Titans: Beast Boy

Written by Kami Garcia, illustrated by Gabriel Picilo

My Rating: 4 stars!

Cover Rating: 10/10 Gabriel’s art is perfection! It captures the essence of Beast Boy and who he is as a teen in this comic. The expression, the little bit of transformation. It’s all so great.

Publisher: DC Comics

Publish Date: September 1st, 2020

Number of Pages: 208

Order in Series: Comic #2

Received: Bought this at Barnes and Noble when I was on a date with my boyfriend.

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

“Garfield Logan has spent his entire life being overlooked. Even in a small town like Eden, Georgia, the seventeen-year-old with green streaks in his hair can’t find a way to stand out–and the clock is ticking. Senior year is almost over. If Gar doesn’t find a way to impress the social elite at Bull Creek High School, he will never know what it’s like to matter. Gar’s best friends, Stella and Tank, can’t understand why he cares what other people think, and they miss their funny, pizza-loving, video game-obsessed best friend.

Then Gar accepts a wild dare out of the blue. It impresses the popular kids, and his social status soars. But other things are changing, too. Gar grows six inches overnight. His voice drops, and suddenly, he’s stronger and faster. He’s finally getting everything he wanted, but his newfound popularity comes at a price. Gar has to work harder to impress his new friends. The dares keep getting bigger, and the stakes keep getting higher. 

When Gar realizes the extent of his physical changes, he has to dig deep and face the truth about himself–and the people who truly matter–before his life spirals out of control.”

Opening Page:

Musings:

I breezed through this comic! I think that they made beast boy a fun and charismatic character if a bit misguided. The art was stunning.

I was fascinated by his transformation and how it was stopped by taking pills his whole life. I enjoyed the science elements to the story. I think the coolest part of the novel was it is his origin story and it’s a story I never got to see growing up watching teen Titans.

Growing up I loved Starfire and Raven the most and I thought that Robin was the cutest guy. However, reading this issue I’m really coming to have more of an appreciation for Beast Boy and his power set. He’s really really cool. I love his connection to animals. I’m obsessed with how his DNA automatically changes to the best animal that would suit a situation. It’s incredible.

The other fun element to this comic is Beast Boy’s arc with saving animals. The way he does it is a bit misguided and he gets into more trouble then he does actually saving the animals. Except, one in particular which you’ll have to read the comic to find out about.

All In All: I had a lot of fun with this one. It was cute. Got to really dive into Beast Boys personality and see him begin to figure things out as he goes. It’s a really great origin comic. I loved that about this.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

Check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!! 

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources:

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

Teen Titans: Raven: A Review

Teen Titans: Raven

Written by Kami Garcia and Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo

My Rating: 5 stars!

Cover Rating: 10/10 Gabriel’s art is so clean and gorgeous. He captures characters essences in such a beautiful manner. The cover is stunning.

Publisher: DC Comics

Publish Date: July 2nd, 2019

Number in Series: comic #1

Number of Pages: 192

Received: I purchased this book on a date with my boyfriend at Barnes and Noble.

Purchase:

Synopsis:

When a tragic accident takes the life of seventeen-year-old Raven Roth’s foster mom—and Raven’s memory—she moves to New Orleans to live with her foster mother’s family and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn’t easy. Raven remembers how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can’t remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. When strange things start happening—things most people would consider impossible—Raven starts to think it might be better not to know who she was in her previous life.

But as she grows closer to her foster sister, Max, her new friends, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she’s ready to face what’s buried in the past…and the darkness building inside her.

From the #1 New York Times best-selling co-author of Beautiful Creatures Kami Garcia and artist Gabriel Picolo comes this first graphic novel in the Teen Titans series for DC Ink, Teen Titans: Raven.

Opening Page:

Musings:

Somehow I loved this comic even more then I loved Beast Boy. I’m glad I read Beast Boys first because I like saving my favorite for later and I hit it right on the money. Raven’s story is emotional and impactful. She feels so human and somehow her powers make her more so.

She feels like life is spiraling out of control and to be fair, for her, it is. Her mom just past away in a car accident, Raven lost all her memories, she hears people’s thoughts, and her demon dad keeps speaking evil into her ear.

The one person Raven feels is genuinely interested in her that makes her feels something that is fun and light in all the chaos is Tommy.

Their romance was really cute. I liked all their little moments together. However, Tommy isn’t who he looks to be at first.

Raven is already dealing with a false sense of reality because of her amnesia. So the truth of Tommy isn’t going to sit well with her. God, I feel for her. I’ve been living in chaos for a while so I understand exactly how out of control she feels.

All in all:

This was a gem to read. I loved it. I’ll read it over and over. I know I really want my lovely boyfriend to read it. I think after the pandemic everyone can relate to Ravens feelings of a lack of control. Add that realness to such gorgeous art every page and you get something really amazing to read.

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! 

Check out my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER! 

Check out THE SISTERS OF TWILIGHT WEBSITE.

If you would like to support me directly here’s a link to BUY ME A KOFI! 

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!! 

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources:

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

Watching: Story From North America

Last night before I was deciding to go to bed, my boyfriend decided to send me a lot of love through sharing a bunch of YouTube videos with me. Just as I had watched a good amount and was about to say goodnight he sent me one last short one, “Story From North America” and I decided alright just one more and I watched it. It was so beautiful and unique. The imagery is creepy and a little scary for those scared of spiders, but the message it gave was a beautiful one. I adored watching this.

Here is a link to “Story From North America”

Something I loved about this too was that my boyfriend hates spiders, but he also shared an appreciation for this story and the message that life even arachnid life is precious. Also, that this was a way that I have thought so many times before especially when I was a kid. Bugs our living creatures too and how would I like it if a hand came from the sky and squished me? Especially when I was minding my own business? It’s definitely not a happy thought, yet it’s what we do to bugs all the time.

But, I can also think of times where infestation happens and it is important to remove and kill bugs that as making a home in your house when their numbers could do harm to you. But as far as a single spider here and there they are actually good because they’ll eat the other bugs naturally. Safely putting them outside to just be is most of the time a good idea.

What I also loved about this is that its told in song form and the lyrics are pretty catchy. I’ve only watched it twice through and the lyrics are already sticking with me enough to quote a bit from the song. It’s in a style of music that reminds me of a children’s song. Repetitive to drive home the message and also to convey the overall feelings and tones of various parts of the song.

God, I highly recommend watching this. It’s only 4 minutes and it’s so damn good. So thought provoking and the imagery is incredible. I won’t get over the way she conveys the boys anger with his rapid movement it’s such a neat moment. This is truly art.

Places to donate to Trans communities:

Trans Equality 

The Trevor Project

Transgender Law Center 

Some BLM resources: 

Link to bail funds to donate to!

Link to petitions to sign! 

Link to a video to watch if you can’t donate!

My friend started Live Streaming so check them out HERE!!

Check out my Instagram and Twitter! 

Check out the Sisters of Twilight website.