CREATE YOUR OWN HAPPY BY PENNY ALEXANDER AND BECKY GODDARD-HILL

Create Your Own Happy

Author: Penny Alexander and Becky Goddard-Hill

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 978-0-00-830121-7

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

There are self-help and wellness books around for adults at the moment, then there is this one. Designed with young children in mind, 7+ to be exact, Create Your Own Happy is part colouring book, part wellness, part inspiring yourself and helping others whose lives may not be as happy as yours. Then there's the chance to have a crack at helping the planet too.

ANIME MERCHANDISE REVIEW: FAIRY TAIL PENDANT

Fairy Tail Logo Necklace (Black)
Size: 3.5cm x 2.2cm
Material: Metal

The reason I went for this colour Fairy Tail logo necklace is that it's the same colour black as the one Gray Fullbuster has as a tattoo on his chest

He's most noticed for wearing no shirt and being generally sexy, so he's my fave character and this is the perfect way to appreciate him as a character!

What I couldn't get over was how shiny it is and how it looked the same as the anime representation of the wizard guild. The pendant is heavy-ish with a black rope cord that fastens. The cord is quite long without being a choker, though it is made for slender necks being from China.

If you hold Fairy Tail fan club meetings, or cosplay I would advise fans to get this as it looks cool, fun and accurate to the series art, plus, you can't help thinking about Gray shirtless!

As a pendant, it looks so cool and sophisticated. The sort of jewellery that is sure to impress fans of the series with its curved design and simplicity.

The silver and black colours tended to remind me of the artwork from the manga novels that have become so popular.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: KNOW MY PLACE BY EVE AINSWORTH

Know my Place

Author: Eve Ainsworth

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

ISBN: 978-1-78112-980-7

Pages: 117

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Just one look at the cover should be enough to give you an idea of what to expect from this book, then again maybe not. 

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: THE CLIMBERS BY KEITH GRAY

The Climbers

Author: Keith Gray

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

ISBN: 978-1-78112-999-9

Pages: 120

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Sully's been used to being the top dog around his friends. The new kid, Nottingham threatens his position as best climber in the village and wonders how well his friends will think of him if he loses against him in the final climb.

ANIME REVIEW: TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

FUNimation

Rating: PG

Running Time: 84 Mins

Release Date: 25/12021

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Considered a cult classic from the 80s, The Transformers: The Movie has been updated to 4K for younger viewers who expect a high-quality visual experience. 

ANIME REVIEW: ROBOTECH PART 1 (THE MACROSS SAGA) BLU-RAY

Robotech Part 1 (The Macross Saga) Blu-ray

FUNimation Entertainment

Rating: TV-14

Subtitles: English 

Aspect Ratio: 1:33.1

Release Date: 18/10/2021

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

For someone who grew up with some of the anime that was raved about in the 80s and 90s, this is one I missed out on. Now that I've seen it, I can understand what other fans saw in it. 

BL ARTICLE: KOHI SKELETONS AND CRAZY MAOHS: KYO KARA MAOH!

Kohi Skeletons and Crazy Maohs: Kyo Kara MAOH! By SandraReviewer

Back in 2008, Temari Matsumoto and Tomo Takabayashi's Kyo Kara MAOH! has its first outing in paperback with the then-popular publisher, Tokyopop. This manga was described as a "gender-bending" high school demon love story," but not seen as steamy or adult enough to be put on their yaoi themed Blu imprint.

WELLBEING BOOK REVIEW: THE SECRET BY RHONDA BYRNE

The Secret

Author: Rhonda Byrne

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 13: 978-1-8473-7029-7

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

What if you could have the life you want? Most people would laugh if someone said you could have everything; the money, career, lifestyle, car and the perfect relationship they wanted you might think they were having a laugh, but what if with the help of this book, it could be true?

FIGURE REVIEW: DRAGONBALL SUPER DRAGONBALL EVOLVE SON GOKU ULTRA INSTINCT

DragonBall Super/DragonBall Evolve Son Goku Ultra Instinct Figure

There are three in this series of poseable action figures from Bandai. With the choice of Golden Frieza, Jiren and Son Goku Ultra Instinct, I found out this was the only one on offer at my local toy store. 

ANIME ARTICLE: BORUTO - KAWAKI, THE KARMA AND THE KARA

Boruto, Kawaki, The Karma and the Kara

Article by Sandra Scholes

The last time I saw a character with a number on their body, it was Ulquiorra in an episode of Bleach, so imagine my surprise when I watch the latest Arc from Boruto and Kawaki has the number 4 sideways on his cheek. 

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: TEA PARTY PARADE BY NICK SHERRATT

Tea Party Parade

Author: Nick Sharratt

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

ISBN: 978-1-80090-001-1

Pages: 61

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

From the author of Splash Day! comes Tea Party Parade part of the popular Little Gems series by book prize winner Nick Sherratt.

ANIME REVIEW: YU YU HAKUSHO SEASON 1 BLU-RAY

Yu Yu Hakusho Season 1 Blu-ray

FUNimation Entertainment

Rating: TV-PG/12

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33.1

Release Date: 2/8/2021

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

There is a current trend with 90s anime series being re-released for a new more modern audience, updating the look of the animation without losing the original 90s appeal it had.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: THE GREAT FOOD BANK HEIST BY ONJALI Q. RAUF

The Great Food Bank Heist

Author: Onjali Q. Rauf

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

ISBN: 978-1-78112-962-3

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

There are books that get bonus points for being different or original, but author Onjali Rauf's new children's novel highlights the plight of most families struggling with paying the bills and putting food on the table.

CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE REVIEW: 100% WOW MAGAZINE ISSUE 9

100% Wow Magazine Issue 9 

Editor: Carly Squires

Publisher: Kennedy Publishing 

Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Like most young adult magazines around at the moment, they have bold, eye-catching covers and 100% Wow is no exception. 

MANGA REVIEW: LOOK INTO MY EYES BY MIYAKO YOKO

Look Into My Eyes

Author: Miyako Yoko

Publisher: Star Fruit Books

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

There is now more choice than ever within the indie manga scene where manga artists can showcase their new work with online publishers who save money by not making print books. A simple click on a PDF etc can unlock a rich world of manga from Star Fruit Books who already have a great amount of manga to choose from. And as there have only been a handful of publishers around who have only made print manga, it is now easier to access new talent with a click.

PRESS RELEASE: DEMON SLAYER - KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE MOVIE MUGEN TRAIN

 

©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: ANIMAL FARM BY GEORGE ORWELL

Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
ISBN: 978-1-78112-969-2
Pages: 246
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Mr Jones, overlord of the animals at Manor Farm gets drunk at night and neglects to feed them. Major, the prize boar who every animal looks to for guidance holds a meeting he sees as important. It is about their future at the farm.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: FEATHERLIGHT BY PETER BUNZL

Featherlight
Author: Peter Bunzl
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
ISBN: 978-1-78112-918-0
Pages: 104
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

When Deryn's mum is due to give birth, her dad has to help mum off the lighthouse to their grandma, leaving Derys on the lighthouse alone.

MAGAZINE REVIEW: IMAGINEFX ISSUE 194

ImagineFX Issue 194

When I've flipped through the pages of ImagineFX in my local WHSmith before I buy it in the past, I've always gravitated toward the FXPose section where I could view innovative new art from fresh illustrators who can draw better than me. I was almost always impressed and this time it's Stephen Stark's Animal Handler is a lovely piece of handlers looking after a magical animal, the limited colour palette and chiaroscuro singled it out for me as the sort of image id like on my wall, or as a screensaver on my PC. It's a traditional-looking painting so would be perfect for this. 

BOOK REVIEW: LIGHT OF IMPOSSIBLE STARS: AN EMBERS OF WAR NOVEL BY GARETH L. POWELL

Light of Impossible Stars: An Embers of War Novel
Author: Gareth L. Powell
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781785655241
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Embers of War and Fleet of Knives were the start of Gareth L. Powell's trilogy, now Light of Impossible Stars is the exciting conclusion to what has been a story full of space opera, fast paced storytelling and strong women able to get themselves and others out of conflict.

As the final novel in the Embers of War series, the Trouble Dog is being hunted by the Fleet of Knives into the Intrusion, an unstable area if space and though it might seem unfair on the Trouble Dog to be pursued by a much more sophisticated ship, but in this novel, anything is likely to happen.

ANIME REVIEW: THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME PART 2

That Time I Got Reincarnated as A Slime Part 2
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 300 mins
Release Date: 24/2/2020
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

We saw how Rimuru started out as a Slime, then grew as he went on his adventures. As far as we're concerned Rimuru had been dealt an unlucky hand, but he soon got to evolve even after some pretty bad times in previous episodes.

You would think this is what would happen in this newest set of episodes, 12 in all, plus a bonus one for fans of the series. As a fantasy comedy, it is funny in its own way, yet this second part doesn't really go anywhere and Rimuru's character doesn't grow any more than he did in the last series.

Back then he faced some serious problems, perils with which characters he could trust and having to cope with being only partly evolved, even so, we would have liked to have seen him evolve some more and face more funny problems he could overcome if only to make the story more enjoyable rather than it only being a comedy with an original idea.

Luckily there are other characters who seem to prop up Rimuru and as there is rumoured to be another series after this one, we can only hope that we see more of what happened in the first part.



Bonus Material: English and Japanese Voices, Episode 24.5 Series Recap with Commentary.

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: SWAN SONG BY GILL LEWIS

Swan Song
Author: Gill Lewis
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Pages: 128
ISBN: 978-1-78112-954-8
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Some children don't fit in at school. Dylan is the type of lad who would have had a bright future if he could only control his temper. One day he is expelled from school for punching another pupil.

WOLVERINE WEAPON X: A MARVEL OMNIBUS.

Wolverine Weapon X: A Marvel Omnibus
Authors: Marc Cerasini/ David Alan Mack/ Hugh Matthews
Publisher: Titan Books
ISBN: 9781789096026
Pages: 787
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

As omnibuses go, this one is for the keeper shelf, containing three fan favourite novels that capture Logan's life history to perfection; Weapon X, Road of Bones and Lifeblood. All three novels have their own authors and all three have their own take on the character.

Titan Books are well-known for their collections of fan favourites in sets of three and have them as part of sets that haven't been seen for over a decade in print. This collection is already of interest to fans as it features Marvel's most famous character, Wolverine.

Acclaimed authors Marc Cerasini, David Alan Mack are all New York Times bestsellers, while Hugh has won Canada's Arthur Ellis Award and shortlisted for the Philip K. Dick award. This Omnibus shows the pedigree of the writers involved who have penned novels from different stages of Wolverine's development as a major character. And when you've finished reading it, it can go on your keeper shelf along with all the other Titan titles.

Weapon X, the first novel will remind readers of Wolverine's origins, his back story and what happened in his life that made him the iconic character he is today. Strong storytelling and side characters form the basis of a bold tale of courage and the need to find out who we truly are.

BL REVIEW: DIRTY VIBRATION BY FUJOKING

Dirty Vibration

Artist/Writer: Fujoking

Genre: BL

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

I've read lots of novels where mobile phones have played a big part in the downfall of mankind, so this one is a welcome addition to a BL lovers collection 

UNBOXING/REVIEW: POP FUNKO JEANNE FROM SUMMONERS WAR

Review: Pop Funko Jeanne from Summoner's War.

Review by Sandra Scholes

There are many reasons I love the Pop Funko range. They are small and compact, you don't have to own a mansion house to display them, a range so vast you can pick and choose your favourites. 

YAOI REVIEW: FATED MATES OMEGAVERSE

Fated Mates Omegaverse

Story: EAB

Artist: CocoonPro.co

Publisher: Lovaboy Comics

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Asami and Daiki haven't seen each other in a while, so when they meet one day in a bar, Asami has an announcement - he's found a girl and he's getting married!

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: ALBERT JOHNSON AND THE BUNS OF STEEL BY PHIL EARLE

Albert Johnson and the Buns of Steel

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

Pages: 99

ISBN: 978-1-78112-907-4

Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

When the Johnson family have always been bakers, Albert's dad is shocked at his son's answer when he offers to pass on his family business to him. 

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: THE DOG THAT SAVED THE WORLD (CUP) BY PHIL EARLE

The Dog That Saved the World (Cup)
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Pages:112
ISBN: 9781781129685
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

I've read some fun books before, ones I never thought I would get into. When I got this one though, as a sampler of what the novel would be like, I wasn't prepared for what I read, the novel is told from Pickles point of view!