Once people meet me, they start to hate me. That’s because when I speak, I find it hard to create a pretty version.

I once read a review where the reviewer described their thoughts on the main character as something along the lines of, "Ah, just as in real life, we do not like everyone we meet." That is THE TRUTH when it comes to Reshma, MC of Enter Title Here. OH MAN, even the synopsis of this book makes me want to strangle her.

“I know. You need to win. It’s not good or bad. It’s your nature. I understand wanting to be better than other people.”

But that's the point.

Reshma is prepared to do a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. to get into Stanford and stops at nothing. She cheats. She conspires. She treats every person around her like dirt. She's entitled and nasty and frequently made me scrunch up my face while reading. Somehow they don't desert her but along the way, she falls as far as she's tried to climb. You keep thinking she's going to hit rock bottom and then she does something even more terrible.

So now the world considers me a plagiarist and a slanderer. Apparently, I’m the poster child for a spoiled and entitled generation.

What's interesting about Reshma is she never gives up. Her narcissism knows no end. It's kind of admirable, if you're into sociopaths. I frequently wondered what she would be like without the safety net of people she has around her. Honestly, she'd probably just figure out some other way to step on the little people on her way to the top.

I am the hero of this novel. Well, antihero.

I also appreciate that she never tries to be anyone except who she is. Even as she goes through her transformative period, she's still the person who will do anything to get where she wants to go. It would be easy for her to have these experiences and turn into a good human so that maybe you'll like her. But that wouldn't be very Reshma, would it?

As a big fan of the New 52 and someone who has nearly stopped reading DC in Rebirth, I'm glad this book exists. Gene does an incredible job weaving culture into a superhero story. I love getting to know Kenan and seeing his relationships with his parents, peers, and country.

Whenever I want to read dystopian comics that remind me of the world I live in, I pick up Bitch Planet. I read a lot of "fun" comics such as Archie and Bitch Planet is my "back to reality" pick.

My favorite part is the last page of each issue, where satirical ads showcase how women can stay "compliant." Stay thin! Accept the misogyny! This isn't an easy read and is perfect for a book club pick (they even include discussion points at the end). Fans of The Handmaid's Tale will enjoy this ongoing comic that will eerily remind you of every day life.

While this felt a little juvenile at first, I was quickly flipping through the pages. Iko is so great and I hope she gets her HEA in the next volume!

So let's make this mandatory reading for life.

The *character* of Rogue One is lost in this but I enjoyed Cassian and K2’s story at the end.

You don’t have to know anything about Rogue & Gambit to understand this arc but if you don’t want to know everything about them when it’s over, then you’re doing it wrong.

Why Fans of Hocus Pocus (the movie) will Love the Book Adaptation and It’s Sequel (even more!)

1. Call back to 1993 - I was a little nervous that they would update the original story to our timeline but no, it’s held in all it’s 1993 glory. Brought it right back to my childhood!
2. More time with the sisters - Come on, they didn’t make Pops of Max in this story. We all know Hocus Pocus is all about the SANDERSON sisters! And in the sequel we get even more of them…in several ways.
3. Updated story for 2018 - A story from 1993 is still a story from 1993. In the sequel, we meet Poppy, daughter of Max and Allison, and the girl she falls in love with ;).
4. Multiple age group appeal - This book can be read with and by pretty much anyone who enjoyed the original movie.

I don’t think this book knew what it wanted to be. I’m disappointed the author took an opportunity to showcase appropriate attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and stomped on it. The romance was so repetitive and I was bored. I was not invested in the two main characters. I was, however, invested in the thriller part of the story.

Also the ending? What.

Some really fun recipes for specific run/training sessions!