Gotham Academy, Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan

Gotham Academy, Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Gotham City's most prestigious prep school is a very weird place. It's got a spooky campus, oddball teachers, and rich benefactors always dropping by...like that weirdo Bruce Wayne. But nothing is as strange as the students!

Like, what's up with Olive Silverlock? Is she crazy or what? Where did she go last summer? And what's the deal with her creepy mom? And how come that Freshman Maps is always following her around? And is she still going out with Kyle? P.S. Did you hear the rumor about the ghost in the North Hall?!

Collects Gotham Academy #1-6

My Review:

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story can best be summed up by the Nerdist's blurb.



Although this blurb is somewhat on point, it wasn't enough to make this a spectacular read. The art was good, and the way the illustrator mapped out the campus and the characters in the beginning was quite amazing. Good job. As for the storyline, it was a little slow and a little bit all over the place. This story is about a group of misfit friends, and by misfit, I mean they couldn't be any more different from one another (in fact, they don't all necessarily get along).



The main character, Olive (white hair) was aloof and distant. Many times throughout the story it was hinted that something strange/interesting/devastating happened over the summer to make her stand-offish, but it was never directly regarded. Huge hole in the storyline, although it may be brought up in more depth in the next issue.

Pom, Kyle, Maps, and Colton all played a supporting role, but not much depth was given to them, other than Maps. Maps was an enthusiastic "optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams" - Doctor Who. She was the first to go exploring, cause trouble, play with explosives - well, you get the idea.

Batman was not left out of this story, although, he wasn't necessarily the beloved hero everyone thinks him to be, at least by Olive. I liked this direction because not all Superheros are flawless, and this just brings more depth to his character. Hopefully there will be more in this regards in the next volume.



I won't go out and buy the next volume in this series, but will continue on if I can obtain a free copy, via NetGalley, library, etc. I'd also warn you that if you are wanting the darker Gotham feel, don't expect much, but if you want something slightly different, or to view Gotham in a different light, give this a try.

Read May 21st, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Sequential Art/Comics, Sequential Art/Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Mystery, Graphic Novels Comics
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

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Killing Ruby Rose (Ruby Rose, #1) Rose by Jessie Humphries

Killing Ruby Rose by Jessie Humphries

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

In sunny Southern California, seventeen-year-old Ruby Rose is known for her killer looks and her killer SAT scores. But ever since her dad, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, died, she's also got a few killer secrets.

To cope, Ruby has been trying to stay focused on school (the top spot in her class is on the line) and spending time with friends (her Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks are nothing if not loyal). But after six months of therapy and pathetic parenting by her mom, the District Attorney, Ruby decides to pick up where her dad left off and starts going after the bad guys herself.

When Ruby ends up killing a murderer to save his intended victim, she discovers that she's gone from being the huntress to the hunted. There's a sick mastermind at play, and he has Ruby in his sights. Ruby must discover who's using her to implement twisted justice before she ends up swapping Valentino red for prison orange.

With a gun named Smith, a talent for martial arts, and a boyfriend with eyes to die for, Ruby is ready to face the worst. And if a girl's forced to kill, won't the guilt sit more easily in a pair of Prada peep-toe pumps?

My Review:



I think my issue with this book was the main character, Ruby (which I'll get to in a bit).  The premise was interesting enough, and despite the fact that at some points I could predict what was going to happen, I wasn't always right, and in some instances, was completely caught off guard.  I liked the dynamics between Ruby and many of the supporting characters, Alanah, Liam, her mother, Dr. T., etc.  Many were believable and somewhat understandable, unlike some of the plot lines - some were just so far fetched. 

Even still, the story would have been at the very least entertaining if we weren't presented with that which is Ruby Rose.  She was tough and smart, yes, we'll give her that.  She was dealing with some recent traumatic events that would cause someone to be little unhinged, and maybe even go off the deep end, fine.  But what she did, was just ridiculous.  On top of her whoa is me! attitude, she has this strange obsession with shoes and chocolate.  So much so, the author feels it is necessary to describe each and every pair of shoes to the reader, and make references to shoes, and comparisons and analogies with shoes.  I just don't care enough about shoes to get it.

I don't know what else to add, I feel Ruby had a ton of potential, and in turn, so did the book.  It just didn't do it for me, but hey, it might be someone else's cup of tea (or Jimmy Choo slingbacks - whatever that is). 



Favorite Quote:

“That simple touch felt like stars springing to life inside of me after years of living in darkness.”

Read from April 06 to May 20, 2015

Top 5 Genres*: Mystery, Young Adult, Suspense, Fiction, Thriller
*According to Goodreads
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My ratings system
5 stars - I absolutely loved it
4 stars - Good book and would recommend
3 stars - Decent book, but wasn't spectacular
2 stars - Not good, but was able to finish it
1 stars - Did not finish (DNF) and I don't usually rate a book I haven't finished (just to be fair to the author)

View all my reviews