sunshinestark's Reviews (376)

This new comic series takes the Buffy Summers we all love and gives her and the rest of the Scooby Gang (plus all their foes and allies) a modern update that is more inclusive and just as fun. Follow Buffy's journey from the beginning as she struggles to find a balance between her duties as the Slayer and her life as a teenage girl. Many characters introduced in later seasons are present from the beginning, allowing for both large and small changes for various plots. Bottom line - if you think you already know this story, you're in for some surprises. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to see alternate universes of their favorite series come to life in order to explore other ways the story could have unfolded!

(This is a review for Volumes 1-3 as all 3 seem to be connected on Edelweiss+ and it wouldn't let me leave individual reviews - individual reviews to come upon a reread!)

Set after the Buffy/Angel crossover event seen in Hellmouth, Willow has left Sunnydale in order to gain some distance and perspective following losses and trauma inflicted while trying to stop the Hellmouth from opening. This is an excellent companion series that lets Willow explore the world, herself, and her magic on her own. I'm loving this version of Willow and am looking forward to seeing more!

Connected to the new Buffy series, Chosen Ones gives a look at past Slayers, including the one active when the Hellmouth in Sunnydale was created. Getting to see peeks at past Slayers' lives was very cool, and I can only hope there will be more issues to come so we can see even more badass historical ladies hunting vampires. 

For those with a history of self-harm, eating disorders, and experiences with biphobia, please take care while reading. Diving into some serious topics that many teens face, this volume is an important addition to Nick and Charlie's story that many will find mirror their own experiences. It may not leave you with the same warmth as the first two, but it's still well worth the read. If you love Nick and Charlie, you will appreciate being able to see both the highs and the lows these wonderful boys experience.

Vampironica is a fun addition to the Archie Horror collection that mixes Riverdale and its inhabitants with the supernatural. In this volume, Veronica Lodge finds herself a newly turned vampire and decides to hunt down her maker. Not all Archie Comics lovers may enjoy this - they can get a bit dark - but for anyone who doesn't mind a little blood and violence thrown into alternate universe settings, this is an entertaining read. Other recommended Archie Horror reads: Afterlife with Archie (featuring zombies) and Jughead: The Hunger (featuring werewolves).

After becoming a vampire Valla chose to live in the depths of the oceans where she thrived until one day a terrible darkness destroyed everything she held dear. Vowing to find the cause of the darkness, Valla returns to land and begins a quest that leads her to Big Oil. Intent on stopping the darkness and those responsible, Valla hunts down the culprits in a unique take on on a very serious subject: the fuel industry and how it is harming the environment. Plus, there are deadly vampires. What's not to like about it?

A Memory Called Empire is a deftly woven tale of political intrigue and the far reaching touches of colonialism that inspire rebellion  that will have you both eager and reluctant to finish simply because it's so good. With believable, fascinating world-building set in space and compelling characters, this will be one you won't easily forget. 

Vlad AKA The Russian finally gets his story told. After years of being separated, his wife Elena returns. The only issue? Their marriage was one of convenience in order to protect her and maybe it's time to part ways officially via a divorce. Told with the same wit as the rest of the series, Lissa Kay Adams breathes life into a character I wasn't overly fond of up until this book. Getting to see more of his past and feelings really lets you connect with Vlad in ways you didn't before. Plus, there's his chemistry with Elena and their love story that unfolds in a way that made me a.) call them both stupid and b.) grin like an idiot every time they had a cute moment. If you've loved the rest of the Bromance Book Club series, you will love this one too. 

With the introduction of the Whitethorn Institute, Seanan McGuire expands the world of the Wayward Children series that will make readers even more excited about upcoming titles. For Cora, Whitethorn Institute is meant to be an escape - a way to forget the things that haunt her, but the more time she spends the more, the more she realizes the more present threat might just be Whitethorn itself. With a cast of returning characters and new, this story is grounded in our world rather than on the other side of a magically appearing doorway. Even so, magic is integral to Cora's story, as it is with everyone who returns from their other world, and just as captivating in its small doses. If you've liked the others in this series, you won't be disappointed with Where the Drowned Girls Go.

This beautifully illustrated tale of Persephone and Hades is a perfect addition for anyone who has been drawn to their story. In this version, their love blossoms with the help of an arrow shot by Eros but even so, it’s clear from the first time they see one another that the seed was already there - and unlike a certain other god, Hades is capable of controlling himself when unsure if his feelings are reciprocated, making him worthy of Persephone’s love.