Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: Boxed Set {Giveaway}

Today, I want to share a gorgeous thing with all of you. Quirk Books was kind enough to send me this beautiful/stunning/etc boxed set. Like most boxed sets, this one comes with all of the books in the series in HC. However, what makes this set special is that it contains twelve gorgeous black-and-white photographs from the series. Amazing, right? 

The Miss Peregrine's series is so wonderful and unique. I'm a huge fan of the photographs scatter throughout the books so I was super excited to put these beauties up on the wall. 

So, you haven't read this series? Or you have but don't own the books? You're in luck! I have an extra copy of both Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City so I'm giving them away to one of you! All you have to do is enter below. Good luck!

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The Library of Souls #StayPeculiar Tour: Giveaway!

Library of Souls: The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children comes out September 22nd so Quirk Books is giving away a VIP trip for two to one of the stops in the #StayPeculiar Tour!  All you have to do is take a selfie of your most peculiar costume and tag it with the hashtag #StayPeculiar. Super simple! 

Check out Quirk Books for more information about this amazing contest and to find out more about the tour dates! 

About Library of Souls:

Time is running out for the Peculiar Children. With a dangerous madman on the loose and their beloved Miss Peregrine still in danger, Jacob Portman and Emma Bloom are forced to stage the most daring of rescue missions. They’ll travel through a war-torn landscape, meet new allies, and face greater dangers than ever. . . . Will Jacob come into his own as the hero his fellow Peculiars know him to be? This action-packed adventure features more than 50 all-new Peculiar photographs.

About the Author: 

RANSOM RIGGS is the author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Quirk, 2011), a New York Times best seller with more than 2 million copies sold, as well as its best-selling sequel, Hollow City (Quirk, 2013). Translation rights have been sold to more than 25 territories worldwide. He lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife.

But there's more! If you, like me, can't wait until Library of Souls comes out then I have a quick giveaway to get you even more excited! Quirk was kind enough to offer a tote bag (exclusive to the tour!) to a lucky reader! 

If you want to win it, enter below! US only. :)

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Review: Manhattan Mayhem: New Crime Stories from Mystery Writers of America

320 pages

Expected publication: June 2nd 2015 

Published by: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: 3/5

Best-selling suspense novelist Mary Higgins Clark invites you on a tour of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods in this anthology of all-new stories from the Mystery Writers of America. From the Flatiron District (Lee Child) and Greenwich Village (Jeffery Deaver) to Little Italy (T. Jefferson Parker) and Chinatown (S.J. Rozan), you’ll encounter crimes, mysteries, and riddles large and small. Illustrated with iconic photography of New York City and packaged in a handsome hardcover, Manhattan Mayhem is a delightful read for armchair detectives and armchair travelers alike!

Let me start off by saying that this book is gorgeous. The design is impeccable. Everything from the hardback itself to the gorgeous photographs throughout is eye-catching. The attention to detail is ridiculously beautiful so I can't praise the design team enough. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I just want to stare at it all day. 

Anyway, this beauty was born as a way to celebrate the 70th birthday of Mystery Writers of America. Every story featured in the book is set in an iconic Manhattan neighborhood.  Now, all my Manhattan knowledge comes from TV and movies so I was super excited to dive in. 

Since this is an anthology, I enjoyed some stories more than others. I decided to give it three stars out of five because there's no way to judge the stories individually and still come up with an overall rating. I felt like it was so evenly split that a 3/5 rating really gives you an idea of what to expect. I think it starts off stronger than it finishes but I enjoyed the stories and the way they brought that particular location to life. I've always been a huge fan of this genre but I kind of abandoned it in the last couple of years. I'm glad this brought that love back.  

Overall, I can see this being a great gift for someone who enjoys either mystery or the island of Manhattan. The presentation alone makes it a winner and the good stories (there are many) make up for the weaker ones.

Goodreads  ~  Amazon 

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

208 pages

Expected publication: May 12th 2015 

Published by: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5/5

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.

This handbook is as fun as it looks. It is packed with wonderful things like convention tips, fandom insight, and recommendations that every geeky girl will love. I found it to be very helpful and fun, regardless of which fandom you might be part of (WHOVIANS FTW).  

I loved how much I learned from it as well. I thought I knew everything about being a geek but Maggs introduced me to TV shows, movies, books, and websites that I've been obsessing over for weeks. Also, I've never been to a convention so I'm sure I'll find that section of the book very helpful in the future. I've been struggling with being both 26 years old *weeps* and super geeky but this handbook taught me that buying that Tardis dress is perfectly okay. So, thank you, Sam! 

If the wonderful geeky info has you on the fence, the illustrations will win you over. They are gorgeous! And the naked book is beyond beautiful. This adds a different level of magic to the handbook. 

I think Sam Maggs is my new favorite human being. She's witty, smart, geeky, AND her hair is fantastic. Basically, I need her to be my best friend. In the meantime, I'm going to push people into buying this book so we can all fangirl together. 

Note: If you can't wait to own this gorgeous book, you might want to join the pre-order campaign! Signed bookplates, buttons, posters, and a very epic Fangirl’s Convention Survival Kit are all up for grabs! 

Review: William Shakespeare's The Phantom of Menace by Ian Doescher

176 pages

Published: April 7th 2015 

Published by: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5/5

The popular, NYT best-selling Elizabethan/sci-fi mashup series continues, with a Shakespearean take on the first Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace. When the best-selling William Shakespeare's Star Wars presented the classic George Lucas film in the form of an Elizabethan drama, the results blew the minds of Star Wars fans and Shakespeare buffs alike. Now the curtain rises once again on that star-crossed galaxy far away, this time revealing the tragedy, hubris, and doomed romance that will lead to the fall of the Republic and the rise of an Empire. The saga starts here with this reimagining of Episode I, a prequel tale in which a disguised queen, a young hero, and two fearless knights clash with a hidden, vengeful enemy. Masterful meter, Shakespearean soliloquies and intricate Elizabethan illustrations will leave more than a few readers convinced that the Star Wars saga sprang straight from the Bard's quill.

Disclaimer: I love these books. I didn't know this series would become a favorite when I picked up the first book but now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. 

I devoured this one really quickly, which is no surprise because IT IS SO GOOD. 

Ian Doescher is hilarious. I loved every line, every use of Shakespearian technique, every representation of timeless characters...I just love his ability to make Star Wars feel new and innovative while staying true to its essence. 

Now,  I have a confession to make. I fell asleep the first time I watched the film AND I've heard terrible things about it. That made me a bit nervous. 

If you're in the same situation, you have nothing to fear! I didn't fall asleep once while reading this book. Haha. Doescher makes sure that the story is interesting and humorous throughout. Also, if you've never read one of his books and you're concerned about the "Shakespeare" element, you need to know that they are not difficult to read at all. So give this a go if you're not into The Bard but you  love Star Wars! Or the other way around. Basically, drop everything and read this series. 

By the way, Quirk is giving away a few copies of this book on Goodreads! 

The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook: Wickedly Good Meals and Desserts to Die For

176 pages

Published: March 24th 2015 

Published by: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Hard-boiled breakfasts, thrilling entrees, cozy desserts, and more--this illustrated cookbook features more than 100 recipes from legendary mystery authors. Whether you're planning a sinister dinner party or whipping up some comfort food perfect for a day of writing, you'll find plenty to savor in this cunning collection. Full-color photography is featured throughout, along with mischievous sidebars revealing the links between food and foul play. Contributors include Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Nelson DeMille, Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, James Patterson, Louise Penny, Scott Turow, and many more. 

What's better than a beautiful cookbook? A beautiful cookbook that contains recipes from amazing mystery authors, of course! This is the kind of book that you didn't know you wanted but then you come across it in a bookstore and you MUST buy it on the spot. 

This is GORGEOUS. The attention to detail is out of this world. I really love the introduction to each recipe since you get to know the author a little bit better. The recipes range from really weird (like Sue Grafton's "Kinsey Millhone's Famous Peanut Butter & Pickle Sandwich") to the very useful (Lee Child's "Coffee, Pot of One") to the most delicious (pretty much everything in the book.) The photography can make or break a cookbook but this one is right on point. They are vivid and the mystery elements around the dishes made me squeal with delight. Honestly, this book is just lovely. It would made such a perfect gift for a friend or even for yourself. 

If you want to see me fail/succeed at making any of these recipes,  you can check my Instagram in the next couple of weeks.  

Note: a huge thank you to the amazing people at Quirk Books for sending me this book! 

The Hello Kitty Baking Book!

The Hello Kitty Baking Book: Recipes for Cookies, Cupcakes, and More

by Michele Chen Chock

96 pages

Published September 16th 2014 by Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: A million red bows

Quirk Books was looking for bloggers to review this adorable baking book and I couldn't stop myself from volunteering.  I love baking almost as much as I love reading so I'm always looking for delicious and challenging recipes. This lovely book is a dream come true. The recipes are intricate and interesting, the photography is gorgeous, and the tips located at the beginning of the book are incredibly useful. It also contains templates and some of the cutest ideas I've ever seen. How awesome does that sound? 

Anyway, I had to try one of the recipes. Originally, I wanted to make macarons because I'm the unofficial macaron queen (not really) but I decided against it. After spending months--seriously, MONTHS---looking for heart-shaped sprinkles, February came around.  Now that heart-shaped sprinkles were abundant, I decided to try the meringue cookies. I must say that it is SUPER important to have all of the equipment before you try to make these cookies. By that I mean you should own a thermometer, a piping bag, and the tips required for this recipe. It'll make your life a lot easier, I promise. Overall, these were pretty successful. I must say that I'm a bit annoyed that they are not smoother but that's just me being picky. "Meringue cookies" sound super easy but they were a huge pain to make hahaha. However, everyone loved them! They were delicious and the consistency was incredible. I can't wait to try the rest of the recipes! 

Now, the next challenge is to conquer something from Hello Kitty Crochet. This might take a while.

Review: The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B. Hudspeth

208 pages

Published: May 21st 2013 

Publisher: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4/5

Philadelphia, the late 1870s. A city of gas lamps, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages—and home to the controversial surgeon Dr. Spencer Black. The son of a grave robber, young Dr. Black studies at Philadelphia’s esteemed Academy of Medicine, where he develops an unconventional hypothesis: What if the world’s most celebrated mythological beasts—mermaids, minotaurs, and satyrs—were in fact the evolutionary ancestors of humankind?  The Resurrectionist offers two extraordinary books in one. The first is a fictional biography of Dr. Spencer Black, from a childhood spent exhuming corpses through his medical training, his travels with carnivals, and the mysterious disappearance at the end of his life. The second book is Black’s magnum opus: The Codex Extinct Animalia, a Gray’s Anatomy for mythological beasts—dragons, centaurs, Pegasus, Cerberus—all rendered in meticulously detailed anatomical illustrations. You need only look at these images to realize they are the work of a madman. The Resurrectionist tells his story.

The Resurrectionist is unlike anything I've ever read. It combines a fictional biography with a significant amount of illustrations based on Dr. Black's mythological beasts. This book is a super quick read and very beautiful. I didn't know what to expect when I started this stunning book but I didn't think I would end up loving it so much.

The biography part of it is very interesting and creepy. I'm an anthropologist so the concept really intrigued me. The author showcases Dr. Spencer Black's life in an almost textbook-like read. The doctor's evolution is both terrifying and gripping, which captivated me. The book is small enough that you'll read it quickly but you might want to spend a bit of time looking through the marvelous illustrations that make up the second half of the book. The Codex Extinct Animalia contains both illustrations and explanations of the various beasts Dr. Black believed in. They show the level of madness and creativity of the doctor and this adds a really interesting touch to the book. Overall, The Resurrectionist is a really cool book that reads like non-fiction with a touch of insanity.


* A huge thanks to Eric at Quirk Books for sending me this book! :) 

ARC Review: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

240 pages

Expected publication: September 23rd, 2014 

Published by: Quirk Books 

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4/5

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Columbus, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring wardrobes, shattered Brooka glassware, and vandalized Liripip sofa beds clearly, someone or something is up to no good. 

To unravel the mystery, five young employees volunteer for a long dusk-till-dawn shift—and they encounter horrors that defy imagination. Along the way, author Grady Hendrix infuses sly social commentary on the nature of work in the new twenty-firstcentury economy.

A traditional haunted house story in a contemporary setting (and full of current fears), Horrorstör comes conveniently packaged in the form of a retail catalog, complete with illustrations of ready-to-assemble furniture and other, more sinister accessories. We promise you’ve never seen anything quite like it!

Horrorstör is one of those book that draws you in by just looking at it. While the concept is great, the execution is even better. The cover design alone is pretty amazing. And the inside? Well, let me show you:

It also includes a delivery form, coupons, and an awesome author's picture. The list is endless. 

Now that I got the physical part out of the way, let me tell you about the content. The book takes place in an Ikea-esque store called Orsk, where things are slightly out of the ordinary. When a mystery needs solving, leave it up to the employees to stay after hours and uncover the sinister plan taking place in our favorite superstore. As you can tell by the concept, the story is really unique and quirky.  Since the store is heavily based on Ikea, it didn't take much for my imagination to run wild. I didn't have any issues picturing the different areas and the general outline of the store. The story had a really engaging and well-paced quality to it. As far as the mystery itself and the ending (we all hate a really weak conclusion to a horror story), I liked the explanation of how the paranormal activity developed and I was satisfied by the way it concluded. 

Even though I really enjoyed Horrorstör, I had a few issues with it. I really tried my best to follow the story at all times but it lost me somewhere in the middle. Once the really terrifying moments started to unfold, I was left extremely confused for a handful of pages.  It isn't a deal breaker but just keep that in mind while reading this one. Also, the characters were just okay. They were slightly annoying and their personalities are very genetic. I didn't find myself getting attached to anyone in particular, which made me indifferent to their fate. That's not great when their lives are in danger, is it? 

The story is fun from the very beginning. As it progresses, the plot turns creepy and very nightmare-inducing.  I usually don't read a lot of horror stories but this one rekindled my love for the genre. I can't wait to read more titles by this author and pick up a lot more scary reads!  

Note: All images were taken from a finished copy of the novel. 

Series Review: William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher

"In time so long ago beings our play,

In star-crossed galaxy far, far away"

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope

Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language—and William Shakespeare—here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas's epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearsome Stormtroopers, signifying...pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations—William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.

William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back & William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return 

Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!

When Quirk Books offered to send me this entire series, I couldn't resist. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. So, do you love Star Wars but maybe Shakespeare isn't for you? Or are you the opposite? Well, I've got you covered. My sister Luisa is going to play the part of "guest reviewer" and tell you her opinion from someone who keeps Shakespeare at arm's length but loves Star Wars. Read on to find out two completely different perspectives about this amazing trilogy! 

From a Star Wars fan (by my special guest!): 

Ian Doescher's William Shakespeare's Star Wars series is one of the wittiest adaptions of the Star Wars movies.

I can say with the out most heart, that this book is not only on point with both works (the Shakespeare's plays and the Star Wars franchise) when it comes to accuracy, Doescher also managed to have a very well written book.

Now, this is coming from someone who is not, in anyway, a fan of Shakespeare but is a huge Star Wars fan. When reading these books I found myself loving the style (iambic pentameter) in which they are written and laughing at every page. For those Shakespearean lovers, this is not one hundred percent Star Wars. The writer also channels Shakespeare's plays like Henry V and Julius Caesar throughout the books.

As a fan of the Star Wars series, I appreciate that Ian Doescher stayed true to the plot of the books and movies. He made the encounters with the characters both insightful and funny. I almost died of laughter while reading R2-D2's lines which were only beeps and squeaks. Also, the illustrations on the cover are absolutely brilliant and eye candy for the fans of the franchise (and those who can appreciate good cover art.)

Now, combining these two great things together gives us an amazing book that is hilariously clever and makes for a fun read on a weekend!

From a Shakespeare fan: 

I have a confession to make. I wasn't too familiar with Star Wars. Sure, I know the catchphrases and the plot twists. I even worked at Disney and had plenty of exposure to the Star Wars Weekends that takes place every year. However,  I was a child when I watched the films and that was a looong time ago. I was curious to see if I would even care about these books or if the Shakespearian aspect alone would be enough to win me over. To say that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved is an understatement.

This trilogy---the first book in particular---is so witty. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times and that never happens. The humor was spot on and it never felt forced or weak. I was concerned that I was going to be really confused since I'm not too familiar with the characters . That never happened.  I ended up feeling like I've known these characters all along. Their monologues were beautifully written and gave the characters their own unique personalities. 

I was literally attached to these books. Nothing could've forced me to put them down. They are all super fun and easy to read. You'll get through them quickly but you'll want the experience to last forever. However, once you can't drag the experience out any longer, there's a FANTASTIC afterword waiting for you. I'm telling you this just in case you need more encouragement to pick them up. Also, Doescher used different speech techniques throughout the books and they were all brilliant. If you've read the first one but need a little motivation to read the rest: Yoda speaks in haiku. Enough said. 

William Shakespeare's Star Wars is an absolute joy to read, a brilliant use of Shakespearian style, and a great representation of a cult classic. If you are a Star Wars fan or a Shakespeare fan or both or neither...it doesn't matter. I can't recommend it enough! 

Note: The last book in the trilogy, William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return, is out July 1st!