Tony and Peter continue to convince the court that the Act is a bad idea.

Annnnnnd they're off to Washington! On the plane, Tony tells Peter about the Superhuman Registration Act. At first Peter thinks the idea is nuts and worries about the information being leaked or falling into the wrong hands. Tony Says that he's going to try to talk them out of it. Once in Washington, in front of the court, Peter trie to explain why this Act is a terrible idea. But the court takes what he's saying and twists in in favor of the Act. Tony tries to take another approach, but with a similar outcome.

Favorite lines:
"You should read it before we land."-Tony Stark
"You're kidding right? This is heavier than the last Harry Potter novel. It's be faster to wait for the movie to come out." -Peter Parker

The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler is the follow up novel to one of my all time favorites, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things.

When I heard that this book was coming out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! Of course I had to do a quick reread of the first book before diving in to this one.

I'll admit it, my expectations were very high. And I'm so glad to say that this book did not disappoint!

I LOVE that this one picks up in a similar fashion as the first book.
First sentence of the first book: Froggy Welsh the Forth is trying to get up my shirt.
First sentence of the second book: Froggy Welsh the Forth is trying to get inside my jeans.

Yet again, I have to say that the relationship between Virginia and Froggy was very realistic. What Virginia went through when "falling out of like" was so spot on with how I felt with my first boyfriend it's not even funny... Complete with going a bit quiet and not knowing how to break up with someone for the first time ever.

This book was a wonderful follow up, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone! In the first few chapters, the author does a great job reminding the reader what happened in the previous book, but in a way that could be read with fresh eyes without straying into info-dumping.

I can see why some people struggle with this book. I'm on the side of the divide that absolutely loves it because of how real and raw it was. The main character was so relatable and so realistic. When she was being negative, or having trouble coping with something, it reminded me so much of myself when I was a teenager.

There are some situations that will get your blood boiling, some things make you feel irritated, but there is also a lot of really lovely and heartwarming scenes. I was so happy to see some great things happen in Virginia's life, and with each one, I just wanted to stand up and cheer for her!

And Sebastian! I LOVED his character! It was so refreshing to see someone like him; he was so calm, openminded, and understanding. There was a scene outside of Magnolia's Bakery that made me tear up because of how sweet he was.

My only irk is pretty slight. There were just a few sentences that ended really abruptly, like they were missing a few words. One example was during a conversation, “...I’ve said to remember us little people when." When, what?


My favorite passages:
Mountains of doubt followed by valleys of justification.

It’s hard to imagine that the world is still turning when mine has been shaken upside down.


My final thoughts:
I'm so very happy that we finally got to see what happened next in the life of Virgina Shreves. While I would be happy with the story ending here, I would be equally happy to read more! I would just love to see what happens next.

In this issue, Tony (who has told the President that he IS Iron Man) has backed Peter into a corner. Either Peter can come out as Spider-Man publicly, or Tony can name him as Spider-Man and his secret life will be out in the open....

In this issue, Tony blindsides Peter with naming him as part of his team that will begin to take down the heroes that don't register...Though Peter said he would do whatever Tony asks, he's not impressed and wants to be in on everything before it goes public moving forward.

In this issue, we pick up where the school yard has just been blown up in a clash between the New Warriors and house of others- Cobalt Man, Coldheart, Speedfreak, and Nitro. Many super heroes are working to find survivors while worrying about the consequences this even will have. At the funeral for all of the children, a grieving mother spits in Tony Stark's face and attacks him verbally- saying that her sons blood is on his hands. Soon, things all over become very violent...and the super heroes begin taking sides.

In this issue, the Superhero Registration Act goes into effect. Tony hopes that they are doing the right thing, and Peter takes off his mask in public.

War of the Damned by Martin Ferguson is the third book in the action-packed Relic Hunters series. Just like the previous two books, I was hooked right from the start!

Gosh, this series! I never want it to end! The action is so fast-paced and it's very easy to get totally immersed in the story, letting the hours just fly by!

The writing was wonderful; it was such a fun and easy read and everything flowed very well! Like the other books in the series, there are chapters that are written from other characters perspective, such as Dave, Matt, and Emma. Each chapter from other perspectives than the main character, Adam, really helped add to the overall story and plot, per usual!

Also in this book, there is another lovely storyline from the past that runs alongside the present time, overlapping in the most perfect way. This second storyline was about Private Andrew Cooper of the Suffolk Regiment. I'm always so nervous when I see this writing method used, but again, Martin nailed the organization of the two timelines! Both timelines are also very interesting! I found myself having a very hard time putting the book down because I just couldn't wait to see what happened next in each of the storylines!

This storyline of this one was so interesting! I loved the bits of history that were added in to the fiction, and I especially appreciated the authors note at the end that discusses these events a bit further.

The overall tone of the story has a lovely upbeat and humorous feel. Even in the most stressful moments, I loved how Adam handles them, whether that be through a simple look or gesture, or even a one-liner to lighten the mood.

As for the characters, I just adore them all! I really enjoyed seeing Emma loosen up a bit. I can't wait to see where the relationship between her and Adam goes, if it goes anywhere at all, of course. I would be happy with it either way! I loved that we got to know Matt and Dave a bit more, and Cecyila was so lovely! I really hope to see more of her!

Another element of these books that I really enjoy are the chapter headers. Especially the ones that make me chuckle.

When I finished reading this book, I was very sad. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one when it comes out!

My favorite passages:
My name is Adam Hunter, a seventeen-year-old college dropout and somehow, an Operative and Hunter of historical artefacts for the British Museum.

Duncan, my best friend for more years that I can remember, is with me and we may not have exactly entered the building legally. The skull masks across our faces incriminate us even more.

That remark earns me a stress-ball thrown at my head.
'I don't think that's how they're supposed to be used, Abbey,' I tell her, before ducking again as a clipboard flies my way.

I dare to look up, seeing two Stuka dive-bombers soaring down towards us. They open fire, tearing through the regiment and my helmet is torn from my head. Somehow, I am unhurt, a damned miracle, the helmet only marked by the scorch of a bullet.

Before I can reach them, a face emerges above me. It is something that only belongs in nightmares.
With thin pale grey skin that barely conceals the skull and white haunting eyes, black blood seeps out of its jaws, which is lined with fangs. Hands rise to reveal curled claws and in the dim light, I can see the rest of its thin distorted body. It looks deep into my eyes and I see sheer rage before it unleashes another ear-piercing scream that is only silenced by a single bullet between the eyes from Leon.

At his command, the grenades are thrown and I draw and loose the explosive arrow. Everything detonates together in a chaos of fire, smoke and falling rock.

I throw smoke grenades behind me, trying to disorientate the soldiers but it does nothing. I wish I had more of Dave's stick grenades or maybe a few more magazines of ammunition, or hell, if we're wishing for things I wish I was on a beach soaking up rays. Who am I kidding? Of course I'd rather be here amongst the action. I'd be bored stupid of a beach anyway.

'Maybe,' I chuckle, wincing from the pain in my... everywhere.

No Man's Land by Hervey Copeland is very intense and thrilling tale that kept me absolutely hooked. I just needed to know what happened next.

Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.

This book is formatted in a way that begins with a chapter from 1975. Something very dramatic happens, but before you get to learn what is going on, it suddenly jumps to 2015 in the next chapter. From there, we stick with a storyline centering around the main character, Mark La Croix.

I found myself drawn to Mark's character right away. I mean, an author that buys a cabin in the woods to seclude himself so he can write? I love it!

I really enjoyed the beginning where we got to learn a little about Mark and see him working on the house. But then the discovery mentioned in the synopsis occurs, and we're off and running! Literally.

This novella was so well written! Everything flowed wonderfully and each element of surprise was written perfectly. I loved how many curve balls were thrown at the reader. More than a couple times, when something suddenly occurred, I felt my stomach drop.

If you enjoy thrillers, you have to check this one out! I'm such a sucker for thrillers and horror stories set in the woods... and I can definitely see myself rereading this one time and time again!