March Reads Part 1

4/3/2018

Happy April!
I hope all is well in your world? Life is great here. Work is good, weather is pleasant and I've a trove of new books, lol So it's time to ask that question, "What have you been reading?" Do you have any new recommendations or books to share? Cause I could always use another for the TBR shelf.
Currently I've changed my work schedule I have more time to read. #win!
So I've a few books to review.

It time once again for me to upload book reviews for the past month. Some I have already added to Goodreads, most I'm still in process.

I'm continuing my Kim Newman reading tour.

I bought this one in Feb but didn't have time to properly enjoy it till March.

This book is number two in the Anno Dracula series. I read book one here if you want to read my review.

The Bloody Baron by Kim Newman
I read book one and was hooked on the series and the authors witty style of including historical and fictional era characters in the story along with a good mystery. It's not your typical Dracula saga at all and if you are a Twilight fan - you will hate this.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? Yes/No. The Horror genre? Yes. The WWI era? No
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, although now that I'm three books into the series it was my least favorite. Honestly this is only because I'm not a fan of war epics and I know very little about this time. There are familiar characters and of course hosts of historical and fictional characters running rampant through Germany and France. Now add in Vampire Nazis and Allied Forces playing deadly games, famous spies and then throw Dracula in the mix! I was pleased to see favorite characters from the first book return to add Victorian sentiment to an unsettling time period. This book also highlights how new inventions changed the way war was waged and how difficult it was for some men in charge to understand this. Fortunately Edgar Poe is brought forward to record all the glory that is the war and the Bloody Red Baron. Yeah, that was a spoiler but come on! Edgar ("I dropped the Allen") Poe? How can you NOT want to read this book?
If you are looking for a "traditional" vampire novel you will not enjoy this book, if you want a witty, fun read - then grab the series.

Judgment of Tears or The Dracula Cha Cha is number three in the series. I just finished it and will probably review it later in the month.

Next Book, not by Kim Newman, hahahhah

Tokyo on Foot by Florent Chavouet
Another book I found via Goodreads. One of the people I follow had pick it up on a whim and reviewed it. I instantly fell in love with the sketch art. The artist/author is Florent Chavouet a French author who spent six months staying in Tokyo. His humor and insights make for a fun read, but the art and the energy he captures make this a treasured travllers book.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? Yes.
Was it well written? Yes. I like the fact the author is the artist and it's not an illustrated book. The art IS THE BOOK. There is actually very little written in the book.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, if you love sketch art and traveller stories I think you would enjoy this book very much. I have ordered a few of the authors other books and am excited to add them to my collection.