Beth Tabler

Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing, LLC for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am an absolute fan of bringing animal fats back into the mainstay diet of American people. The author explored just about every type of cooking fat available as well as how to render, store, and use them in various recipes. The recipes are easy to follow and look yummy. However, I think they may scare the standard home cook a bit. For those willing to branch out of the culinary comfort zone, this is a fun way to do it and a great resource. It's time to bring back those flavors and recipes of history and get back to making better food.

#TheFatKitchen #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An extremely comprehensive gardening book containing detailed information about how to grow all things under lights. Really great guide for the gardener who wants to extend their growing season, or set up a growing operation in their spare room. There is a stigma attached to growing stuff indoors. It isn't just cannabis, but everything! If you can grow it outside, it can be grown indoors! Great book. Definitely, recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an adorable way to introduce children to Idioms of the English Language. Each page is an image that illustrates a literal interpretation of a saying and what they actually mean. It is very fun and beautifully done. I recommend to children in the 4+ bracket. Check it out!

I received this book, for free, in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great guide for both, new and experienced gardeners who want a little fun. I have been gardening for years, and I still learned a bunch from this book. There is always more to learn! This book showed me a bunch of varieties to plant. I can't wait to get planting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful, exquisite. There are not enough words. It appeals to the geeky plant nerd side of me and the side that loves good design. The pages are simply conveyed, but not simplistic in style or substance. Great for a coffee table book, or a detailed book about tree types. Recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I like the idea of simplifying cooking. Cooking can be overloaded with gadgets, gizmos, and 500 different sauces. It can be overwhelming for the home cook. So Melissa Coleman says, “slim it down!” It is a great idea and I think that the way she goes about it effective. It doesn't have to be austere to be minimal.

Excellent recipes. Easy to follow directions and lovely pictures. Definitely, recommend for the home cook. Plus check out her blog https://www.thefauxmartha.com/

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a very well done book. The design is fun and lively while still remaining classy. It evokes a bit of retro charm. This speaks well to an audience who wants to learn about all things fizzy, Graphically, the diagrams for different drinks help a lot when trying to figure out proportions. Makes the whole thing much more accessible. To non-bartenders who just want to play with fizzy drinks. The writing is well executed and a great addition to the excellent photography. All and all a worth-it book for the at-home bartender who wants a bit of fizzy charm in their bar. I know I do!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book speaks to me, I too and interested in paring down and minimalizing. Micro Living shows how it can be done beautifully and comfortably.

I love the way this book is designed, it has clear and easily understood stories. I think it was very effective how he sectioned off the book into “small” vignettes that can give inspiration to a prospective builder or buyer. He even included plans! The pictures are worth buying the book and putting it on your coffee table. Really well done.

This is an absolutely fantastic must-buy book for someone interested in tiny home building.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ace for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I don't think I can get enough Dresden Files. He just gets better and better. Often when you are reading a long-running serious, it gets stale and stagnates. This hasn't, it has gotten better. The characters flesh out more with each book, and in this book particularly we got a great story written from the point of view of “Gentleman” Johnny Marcone. Yes! It reads even better than it sounds. I know this is a re-release, but I haven't read the other anthologies so this is brand new to me. Plus, we have stories from Butters, which is fantastic, and Molly which are just as good and fleshed put as Dresden himself.

This was a great holdover for when the next book comes out, and I definitely suggest reading it. It isn't absolutely necessary to read the Dresden Files before picking this up, but it would help understand the characters a bit more. There. That is your excuse to get into this fantastic series. Dooooo itttttttt.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an electronic copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

First off, I love that the author is attempting to simplify a large and slightly esoteric concept like patterning for children. It isn't a science-based book, but more of a general introduction to some pattern types found in nature and how they relate to kids. Trees have particles that spin and kids spin, see. I like that, it is a nice way to make a connection with a young child. My only complaint about the subject matter is it isn't in the science category or in the children's general category. I think the story could really benefit from the specific introduction of certain patterns like the golden ratio instead of staying vague. It's beautiful and kids could see how it is everywhere if they know what to look for.

All in all, it is a lovely book, both written and illustrated with a high degree and sensitivity to the need and understanding of children. I recommend it for kids around the age of 5.

Thank You to Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

A very detailed and exhaustive study of sempervivums. Gorgeous pictures that make me want to go out and take my gardening one first step further, It has detailed information on the care and maintaining of sempervivums, as well as propagation and varietal information. It was an absolute joy to read because I am already nuts for these plants. I would recommend it to serious die-hard garden nerds so get out there and propagate!

Thank you, NetGalley, Chouette Publishing, and CrackBoom! Books for an advanced English translated readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from the publisher, “My dear diary: this is the end. There are no ogres left. The world is wrong. What does this ogre hide? Is it true that he teaches wrestling with sticks and belching and snot courses? Is it true that the pant is never changed? 
The intimacies never before revealed of an ogre with style. Surprising, crazy, secret: a newspaper that you have to spy on yes or yes.”

I am always thrilled when I get an opportunity to review a children's book. In general children's books bring a genuine smile to my face, and this book is no exception. Oger's are funny creatures. Who demonstrate poor hygiene, and poorer life choices. Generally, from Shreck to Harry Potter their depiction is of a smelly, but a lovable brute who is steadily falling all over themselves, and eating fly ice cream. Pratfalls and fly ice cream are funny concepts and relatable for kids. The author took something that could be scary and made it funny which is excellent for kids! This is why this is such a great book. I mean, who doesn't think that an award given to an ogre who never changes their underwear isn't funny. 

My only real complaint is that it doesn't have much of a plot and because of this, it relies heavily on the great graphics. I think plot-wise, the author could have hammered home how important it was that ogers need to become ogers of old. She touches on it, but it seems a bit disjointed.

Graphically, Laura Aguerrebehere did a great job conveying the silliness of the ogers. The graphics are bright and again fun to look at. 

This is hilarious! Graphics, pacing, everything. I think boys or girls would get a total kick out it!

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review!

This book is so cute! I love the illustrations and straightforward questions that the author poses kids. You know kids want to know if frogs drink hot cocoa. Kids drink hot cocoa, so frogs must also. The book is educational without going over the line into a straight science book. Plus the author gave me a great word to use, frogcycle! “Do frogs drink hot cocoa to not become a frogcycle?!” I Definitely recommend this book! It was very fun.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review!

Mmmmm. Tacos. Even the word by itself makes me drool a little. Who doesn't like tacos, crazy people that's who!? I can tell you who loves tacos and it is the squirrel.

I think this just might be my favorite children's book ever. I say children's, but really this book can appeal to all ages and get a chuckle out of even the most staunch adults who only read Proust in the original French. This book is funny, and the illustrations are absolutely marvelous. It reminds me of the humor that one would find online in your weekly webcomics. Concise and to the point. It also breaks the fourth wall a bit, especially when dealing with tacos. So really win-win for all. I see many kids in the future and their parents getting many chuckles from the adventures of the squirrel.

I am reviewing this book for Linda A. Chisholm, Timber Press and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.
This is such a lovely book, full of rich stories and even better pictures. I have a history with Landscape Architecture, and this hearkens me back to my college days. This book is both good for the layman garden lover or the professional looking for inspiration. It is also wonderful for the traveler looking to plan their next trip or getaway. I love that I can look through this book and learn something new everytime I read it. A wonderful coffee table book! Check it out. Definitely worth it.

I am reviewing this book for NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.

This is not the normal type of garden book I read. Usually, the garden books that come through my hands are the type of practical knowledge. i.e. this much fertilizer and this type of plant. However, I have a deep and unabiding love of Japanese Landscape architecture, and Zen Buddhism in general. Putting them together in a general and readable format was like a delicious candy bar for me. It was a lovely and relaxing read. It was full of beautiful writing, not as practical as I would like and sometimes a bit too “woo woo” for my taste, but well written and interesting. Definitely, the writing is something to contemplate. I think on rereading it, I would get more out of it. This is the type of book that you get much more out of it with contemplation and multiple reads.

I am new to the church of Charlie Jane Anders, but consider me a convert. Earlier this year, I had the fortune of reviewing an advanced reader copy of The City in the Middle of the Night gifted to me by the author herself after seeing me lament my lack of access to the advanced reader copy for review. She was kind enough to send over a copy via her publisher for me to review it. It was an atmospheric and almost ethereal story about darkness and light and the weight of history and tradition. Charlie writes as if words are the only substance that gives her life, and she wants to share that life with you. And this is why I was delighted to find a short written for Tor.com by her about the apocalypse.

Most of the time, when you read books that are about an apocalyptic event, they are dour, wrung in mire, and misery. Death and destruction are not usually topics for polite conversation and joy. However, As Good as New had something that not many stories of the same ilk have that I found outstanding. It has a vein, a kernel of hope shot through it. Hope is what gets people through the tough. Hope for what is better, or right, or honest. It is hope for more. This story was an apocalypse, but it had hope and a bit of joy and humor. Because that is what life often is shitty. But your ability to laugh and find some pleasure in simple things can get someone through it — pleasure, in say, the entire run of The Facts of Life or West Wing.

Marisol is a woman with a lot of time on her hands. She is currently residing in a luxury bunker with a terabyte of television and movies, tons of frozen dinners, and no company. Somehow, this is not explained, Marisol ended up taking shelter in this luxury bunker when all the rest of the world went to pot. She has a whole lot of time on her hands, and she develops an “intense relationship with the people on The Facts of Life, to the point where Tootie and Mrs. Garrett became her imaginary best friends, and she shared every last thought with them.” It had been a couple of months since the last quake had shaken her in the panic room. She felt that maybe it was safe to adventure outside and see what there is to see. What she finds is a world strewn with a white fungus and a bottle.

“The bottle was a deep oaky green, like smoked glass, with a cork in it. And it was about twenty yards away, just sitting in one of the endless piles of white debris. Somehow, it had avoided being consumed or rusted or broken in the endless waves of fungal devastation. It looked as though someone had just put it down a second ago—in fact, Marisol's first response was to yell, “Hello?” even louder than before.
When there was no answer, she picked up the bottle. In her hands, it felt bumpy, like an embossed label had been worn away, and there didn't seem to be any liquid inside. She couldn't see its contents if there were any. She removed the cork.
A whoosh broke the dead silence. A sparkly mist streamed out of the bottle's narrow mouth—sparkling like the cheap glitter at the Arts and Crafts table at summer camp when Marisol was a little girl, misty like a smoke machine at a cheap nightclub—and it slowly resolved into a shape in front of her. A man, a little taller than she was and much bigger.”

Marisol had found a genie. What does this genie mean for the fate of the world? You know the answer to something like that is never simple.

It is astounding to me that Anders wrote so much about human emotions in only 28 pages. I have IKEA instructions longer than 28 pages. But it works, and it is damn good.

Check it out for yourself. It is at most a thirty minutes read, free at tor.com, and completely worth the time.

Yaaaassss. Queen. Slay all day. This series keeps getting better and better. Jade Crow is just killing it. (pun intended)

This book has more of all the fun stuff. More magic, more gore, more action and definitely more backstory. We are learning a bit about her past and that maybe

‘“We fight with what we have,” he murmured. “Not what we wish to have.
“Okay, Obi-Wan.” I nipped his chin and settled into his arms.
“I am not quoting Star Wars,” he said, glaring down at me in mock annoyance.
“No, but you sound wise for your years.”
“Protect you, I will,” he said. “Love you, I do.”'“

there is something special about her. Ya. I know, not exactly the most original plot device. But, you know what that is ok. It is a plot device because it is useful. Bellet is not slamming us over the head with the fact that there is something unknown about Jade. There just is. Deal with it and we will find out in due time.

Also, I have to say that I totally dig all the gaming and pop culture references. On one hand, it gives a subtle nod to those of us out there who appreciate geekdom, on the other hand, it might make it so this book doesn't have the longevity for reading that other series might have. It is one of the reasons I enjoyed “Ready Player One” so much. I am a child of the eighties and totally got the references. It was a roller coaster in pop culture awesomeness.

Also. Unicorns. My head just exploded a little.

Let's hear it for independent publishers and let's hear it for writers who get better and not worse from book to book. Specifically, Pack of Lies by Annie Bellet. I thought the first book in this series was serviceable. Decent. Fun, but obviously Anne Bellett was snuggling in, and getting comfy with these characters.

Book three, Pack of Lies is an entirely different and better offering than the first two books in the series. She is happy with the personalities she has created and they just keep getting better and better. The love angle is also a whole lot more enjoyable to read and more believable. He is not some cardboard cutout but is evolving into a more fleshed-out person.  Less of a go-to hot guy and more of a person with feelings and personality.

As far as the story goes, I think Anne Bellett excels at both pushing the main story forward inches at a time while having a contained separate story arc for each book. This is no exception.

“Recovering from a broken heart and coming to terms with her family history, all sorceress Jade Crow wants is to resume running her comic book store and gaming with her friends. With a town full of strange wolf shifters, a hundred-and-fifty-year-old peace accord hanging in the balance, and the Justice who broke her heart back in her life, Jade's plans go out the proverbial window.

Wolves are killing wolves, innocent human lives are caught in the crossfire, and not everyone in town is who they appear to be. As the bodies stack up and the doubts build, Jade and her friend's race to find the true killer. “

Talk about exciting action. Wolves, 150-year-old peace accord, and a weird baddy to deal with; this story really had it all. I totally dug it.  Plus it was short and mighty. Perfect for winding a couple of hours in the afternoon away. Check out Pack of Lies.

Some minor spoilers are ahead. I will attempt to not ruin the story, but ye have been warned.

Scourged is the ninth and final novel in the “Iron Druid Chronicles” by Kevin Hearne. Hearne did it, he ended it, and we are sadly at the close of Atticus, Oberon, and more. At least for now. Hearne has been quoted in saying that he may visit these characters in the future, but for right now their story arc is completed. Sadly, all I can say is book nine was weak sauce. It is easily the worst of the nine.

Book nine starts with a funny conversation between Atticus and his hounds. “Yes, Food!”

“Ragnarok will begin in the next few days, and it won't end well for anyone, because apocalypses tend not to include happy endings.”
― Kevin Hearne, Scourged

They are lovingly talking about the joys of meats and gravies. Which most readers will agree with. Myself included. The almost impromptu conversations that flow between Atticus and his hounds throughout the series are Kevin Hernes's writing at its best. Oberon's commentary is a welcome addition to almost any scene in previous novels. Sadly, Oberon was sidelined for most of book nine. His missing analysis was sorely missed and the levity it brought.

Now into the meat of the story. Ragnarok is happening, and Loki is letting forth his pent-up daddy-issues upon the world. It is time to marshal the troops in opposition. The gods and goddesses of various pantheons join together for the fracas. Thus enters some pretty interesting characters we have met before: Sun Wukong who is also known as the Monkey King, Granuaile, Owen, Coyote, Flittish, Laksha, the Morrigan. Each has a specific role to play in this war, both predestined and not. Here is where I think the story begins to go off the rails. Kevin Hearne wrote this book to be single fight scenes or dialog scenes that are strewn across the world. All happening at different times with the span of a few days. Loki's actions have affected the world at large, not just small segments of it. Thus the main characters are needed in various parts of the world. These scenes feel chaotic and disjointed. Instead of exciting and climatic scenes, we get boring, unessential, and insignificant ones. The action scenes, which in previous novels where trim and concise, are so irregular and hardly understandable that it knocks the reader right out of the story. They are literally scratching their heads and saying “what the f$%?”

The denouement of some of these characters is a complete train wreck. At some point between book eight and book nine of this series, Hearne decided that a complete rewrite was needed for their personalities. It feels like he was very done with writing these characters. Especially Granuille. Her ending was ridiculous. It felt vicious, cold, and mean-spirited, in a very “kick them when they are down” kind of way. Which is out of character for her. There must have been a better way to carry out the meat of that scene without making her seem so coldhearted. Atticus made her into what she is primarily, and she kicked him while he was at the lowest point in his many centuries. I suppose there is a school of thought that says writes owe their readers something when it comes to their characters. That's not true. Writers owe their readers nothing. But it is in bad form for the author to take such a beloved character like Granuille and weirdly ruin her for many people. Bad form man, bad form.

Atticus deserved a lot of what was heaped on him, and I understand what Kevin Hearne was attempting to write regarding Atticus's end of the journey. But instead of the bittersweet ending, he was looking for, it came off as a whole lot of bitter, and absolutely nothing sweet. Except for maybe his interactions with his hounds at the end. This is a sad end for this series. It really felt like the proverbial punch in the gut.

Conclusion
I have no idea what to tell you to do. If you have loved this series as I have through all eight books and side stories, you will want to go on and finish the series. There is nothing for it, you need an end. But that ending will feel like someone dropped a load of rocks on your big toe while simultaneously stealing your wallet and telling you are ugly. If you haven't started the series yet, I still say go for it. It is a fun and wild ride till the end where you will unceremoniously have rocks dropped on your toes, your wallet stolen, and be emotionally injured with name calling. You are seriously damned if you do or don't.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

From the Publisher: It's among the hottest trends in the food world today—magically colorful dishes and drinks that are as bewitchingly beautiful as they are incredibly tasty and nutritious. Now, Kat Odell—a food journalist, author (the just-published Day Drinking), and entrepreneur who started selling her popular unicorn nut milks in 2015—celebrates the unicorn food movement with a rainbow of 75 recipes.
    The recipes are vegan. The ingredients are all-natural and super-nutritious, from fresh fruits and vegetables to superfoods like flax, coconut oil, spirulina, chia, and bee pollen. And the offerings are exactly the kinds of hyper-colorful, super-fun dishes that healthy-forward eaters love, including gently flavored nut milks, grain bowls loaded with vegetables, probiotic breakfast custards, toasts with slathers and spreads. This is health food as never seen before, filled with joy, and words can't do the colors, the (all-natural) sprinkles, the whimsical decorative touches justice—the deep glowing yellow of a Frozen Turmeric Lassi, the greens of Soba Noodles with Arugula and Arugula Pesto, the intense oranges and purples of Sweet and Sour Radish Tacos,  the tie-dye rainbow effect of Veggie Summer Sunset Rolls with Pineapple Kimchi, and the pastels of Chamomile Milk Tea Pudding with Fennel and Pistachios and Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream Sticks.
    Filled with dazzling full-color photographs, published in a package as special as the dishes themselves, Unicorn Food is a cookbook of real beauty, in the look, in the recipes, in the spirit of the food itself.

Joy and ever-freaking rapture! My trapper keeper carrying, hair band loving, Lisa Frank buying, side ponytail wearing inner child of the 80's,  just did a squee and a backflip.

Drink and eat the Rainbow man. Preferably wearing glitter.

I seriously loved this cookbook for the simple fact that I can pretend that I am a hoity-toity chef making things with the words fennel, kimchi, and infusion at the same time as playing with my colorful food like I would play with playdough. I am absolutely and unequivocally sold on the concept. Plus, it is just a really lovely book to look through. 

As far as the writing is concerned, she did a great job. It feels slightly whimsy and straightforward at the same time. I have a real issue with cookbooks that take themselves way too seriously. She doesn't. Lastly, the book inspired me to try some of these concoctions for both the chance of prancing around my house as a unicorn. (see photo below) But, also my health. I would recommend this to anyone, serious chef or novice. It is just a whole lot of fun. 

I was very excited to read Year One by Nora Roberts. First off, I have read close to thirty of her books. For a while there I was plowing through them. She writes great characters and exciting plots. Especially her later work. I also have read pretty much all the post-apocalyptic books I can get my hands on. Except for “The Road” which I won't touch with a ten-foot stick. 

My first observation is a positive one. The entire novel rests on an interesting, if not a slightly trite premise. World plague that decimates human the population. The thrilling thing is that the epidemic is based on lore mythology and magic. The disease is itself named “Doom,” and is made of these dark energies escaping and infecting the world. I think. Nora Roberts was a little fuzzy on it. In response to these increasing darkness and sickness infecting, a reaction in people with any spiritual and/or magical is that the latent power these people had increased exponentially. Another point I'm fuzzy on. Otherwords, some people get big woo-woo, others not so much. No idea what it is based on or why. Some people get nothing at all and remain human. Also no clue. It just is. Plot points like these that lay the foundation in novels, in my opinion, need to be rock solid. Otherwise, niggling questions remain and throw the reader's mind out of the story. 

The second observation is also a positive one. Nora Roberts knows how to write good dialog. It may be a little schmaltzy, but it flows like people talk. The dialog was well written. I may not have liked what the characters were saying, but she is damn good at writing it.  

Character-wise, it is just damn confusing. She has some well-written ones in there that are fleshed out, and some that are flat as a board (I am looking at you Eric and Allegra) and you scratch your head wondering what the hell. Why are the ones that are vapid come from out of nowhere and give so much page time? Also, the pacing and plot arcs are jarring as hell. I have never read a novel that jarred me like a car accident from one vignette to another. 

Lastly the third act of the story. I am going to speak in broad terms so as not to do any spoilers, but I spent 75 pages scratching my head. It was all so bland and wrapped up in a neat little bow. I didn't give a damn about the characters at the end. The ones that I really liked and thought were interesting got unceremoniously excised from the last act of the novel which was a weird pacing and story arc thing to do. Maybe I was just slightly miffed at that. Where are my Arlys, Fred and Jonah? She should have at least nodded her head at them and told us a little of what was going on. 

I want to be very clear here. This isn't a crap book. Nora Roberts is a master storyteller, but this isn't her best work. That's ok not everything is going to be a shining star. It is a serviceable book with highs and lows and is very readable. I will read the next book in the series to see what happens. If I had to give it a rating, I'd rate it 3 out of 5. 

I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

I was pleasantly surprised that this recipe book does not call for a lot of fancy equipment. Fancy equipment is fine, but for the average person, they are not going to have a smoker in their kitchen. The recipes became a lot more accessible for the home cook because of this. The recipes themselves were great, and the photography work was pretty. It made you want to try the recipes and get going making your own jerky. All in all, I liked this book and will give some of the recipes a try. Store bought jerky is not happening anymore.

I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

A little backstory on this graphic novel, it is a prequel to Pierce Brown's Red Rising Series and revolves around one of the subsidiary characters in the 4 novel story, However, other characters that are in the Red Rising series are featured. That being said, this graphic novel can be read on it's own but the reader will not get the nuances had they read the entire 4 book story beforehand. Furthermore, I think Brown's great writing is missing here. It doesn't have the same detail that the novels have. It seems much flatter. If you are a diehard fan of the Red Rising series, absolutely read this. Otherwise, you might skip it till you read the novels.

Originally posted on beforewegoblog.com

My God! My brain my brain. My poor abused brain. I feel like I should have a few hours of cat pictures after reading this book. I don't think this is my brand of humor which I normally go for. Mine is more along the line of, “Blacks Books,”  This is more Ren and Stimpy? I am having a problem finding something to compare this book too. Very dark satire. It also might be that I need to be in a proper frame of mind to read this, and I wasn't. It was terrible and abusive and I kept thinking, “that poor kid needs a hug that is not going to turn into molestation or aliens sticking something up his butt.” I feel like such a mom. le sigh.

It is horrific, but not in a horror movie sort of way. More like, “I can't believe I am reading this. That poor kid. No wonder he neurotic. I would be neurotic too if I had aliens chasing me to do anal probes and giant dust mites waking me up in my sleep.” All the while nightmares

The creature known by many names. Son of Satan or El Diablo. Pepito.
that do unspeakable things to my brain. Seriously the dust mites are nightmare fuel. We are just skin husks that provide them with food. Without them, we would be swimming in our own dead skin cells. It is really funny if you can get past the horrible abusive parents and all the terrible shit that he has to go through. Before I get hate mail, I get it. I get it. It is satire and very dark humor. I can absolutely appreciate something for what it is; and that it is a stellar example of that type of graphic novel while at the same time not wanting to come near this again with a ten-foot pole.

For me the highlight of this book was Pepito. I could get a print of the strip of Pepito being introduced to his class and melting the other kids in the class with his mind when they were jerks. Kinda cathartic I think. I too have wanted to melt classmates in middle school and elementary.

“Stand back amigo, this is a job for the ANTICHRIST!”

to Squee before bringing doom upon his bullying classmates

This does bring up Johnny The Homicidal Maniac that is, as far as I can see, the same brand of humor. Still, it looks really funny. I might give it a go, just because of quotes like this.

Johnny “Is this milk still good?!!”
The victim “Huh?! sip Uh...yeah.”
Johnny “THIS LETTUCE! HOW CRISP IS IT? HOW CRISP GODDAMMIT?!
The victim “It's Fine!”
Johnny “THESE FUDGE-POPS! FREEZER BURN?! FREEZER BURN?!”
The Victim “umm..”
Johnny “EAT THE FUCKIN' WEENIE!!!”
The Victim “mmph... It tastes okay.”
Johnny “Whew! Thanks. I haven't cleaned my fridge out in awhile, and well... You know.