When Animals Attack

When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals

by Vanessa Morgan & B.L. Daniels and Moonlight Creek Publishing

Description

The definitive horror movie guide for fans of killer animals and “revenge of nature” films.

When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals provides a fascinating and entertaining insight into the cinematographic world of animals on the rampage. From well-known predators such as sharks and lions to unusual killing machines like turkeys, elephants, frogs, cats, and rabbits, there is no shortage of the species on display in this book.

Leading horror writers and filmmakers present their favorite “animals attack” films through in-depth essays. Some of the films are touching, some are repulsive, and some are just plain silly. Not all of these horror movies line up with the critical consensus, yet they have one thing in common: they have made the heart of the writer beat faster with excitement.

From Jaws to Snakes on a Plane with a little The Food of the God's in the middle Vanessa Morgan brings an excellent group of film essays staring 70 Horror flicks with Killer Animals. I really dig collection books such as these most of the time you find a hidden gem that you have never heard of (Like Beaks the Movie) to the classic's that you just want to hear more about. Every writer in this collection gives us their take drawing you into there world with fun stories of the golden age of VHS rentals and a sprinkle of fan talk when it comes to movies like Birddemic. If your a fan of real monsters this is a great read I honestly could not put it down, its fun, witty and full of entertainment. 

4 Stars!

Gracie With Glasses

Gracie Meets a Ghost
by Keiko Sena

Children's Fiction

Hardcover $16.99

Publish Date October 1st, 2016

Gracie wears glasses because she can’t see very well without them. One night she realizes that she left her glasses on the mountain where she was playing, so she goes straight out to find them. But without her glasses, everything looks fuzzy. When she sees a big white object, she can’t tell what it is. Could it be a balloon? A sheet? It’s actually a ghost who is determined to frighten her—but the only way he can do that is to make sure she can see him! Gracie thinks it’s a very kind, helpful person who helps her look for her glasses . . . but what will happen when he finds them?

Keiko Sena childhood series about Gracie finally comes to America. Sena is a book designer and the creator of many picture books and kamishibai (picture-panel stories). Her books have been read by generations in Japan and are considered classics. They have been translated into many different languages, including Chinese, French, and English. First, in the series Gracie loses her glasses and sets out to find them. A ghost lingers in the woods looking to scare someone when they stumble upon each other. Of course, the ghost can not scare Gracie as she can not see it. 

Such a heartwarming story for any child struggling with needing glasses. The artwork is bright and fun with image's popping off the page. Watch for Gracie Meets a Ghost this October.

Fright-Lopedia will shock you!

Frightlopedia

An Encyclopedia of Everything Scary, Creepy, and Spine-Chilling, from Arachnids to Zombies
by Julie Winterbottom

Workman Publishing Company

Children's Nonfiction

EDITION Paperback

ISBN 9780761183792

PRICE $9.95 (USD

Number of pages 224

Publication date August 23, 2016

For all the Scary, what was that bump in the night fans this book is for you! Frightopedia is a fantastic collection that spans A-Z of some of the world's most frightening places, scariest stories, and gruesomest creatures, both real and imagined. The book starts off with everybody's favorite Acranids and works it's way through Bats, Cockroaches, Vampires, and of course Zombies. 

As a kid book that is marketed towards third through seventh graders, the "Fright Meter" comes in handing letting you know that a story with a one is not so scary but a 3 means you should read it with the lights on. It's a very nice touch considering I was reading this with a third grader and a sixth grader. 

I also loved the Horrifying How-To projects throughout the book allowing the kids to do some hands on like the simple painting a vampire bite on your neck. The artwork is both silly and fun keeping it lite hearted. 

I know my readers are huge Halloween fans so the next time you are at the bookstore flip through this book you just might find yourself taking one home with you.

I really love this book!

4 Bloody Brains

I was asked through NetGally to review this book this is my honest opinion I was not paid to do this review. 

Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah

Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah

by Nicolas Otero

Diamond Book Distributors

IDW Publishing
Comics & Graphic Novels

The most iconic singer/songwriter of his generation, Kurt Cobain left behind a phenomenal body of work, legions of fans, and a mystery... a final letter addressed to "Boddah." Now, award-winning creator Nicolas Otero brings the story of this note to life in the original graphic novel WHO KILLED KURT COBAIN? Based on the French novel, Le Roman de Boddah by Heloise Guay de Bellissen, this adaptation - a work of fiction - recounts real-life events from Cobain's life, as narrated by his childhood imaginary friend, Boddah. Through the eyes of Boddah, readers get a front row seat to the highs and lows of one of the music's most influential voices like they've never experienced before. Trace the arc of modern rock's greatest icon from the dark clubs of Seattle to the bright lights of the world stage... and all the angst, horror, and thrill that came with that ride in this captivating graphic tale.

If you are a die hard fan of Kurt Cobain you just might love this graphic novel. The story for me was a little bit different as it follows the voice in his head, Boddah. The novel even has a copy of the letters he left to Boddah, including the final letter before departing this world. 

Though I was not a fan of Grange Rock I will admit the Nirvana's first breakout song "Smells like teen spirt" was a different sound but a novelty for me. The music was odd so after reading this book I can understand a little bit better as to why.

The artwork and pace of the book are the highlights. You can easily loose yourself in the picture's that are cluttered with images just like Cobain's head. 

The story really focuses around Courtney Love, Boddah, And of course Heroin. 

So if you are a Kurt Cobain fan you will want to pick this book up. For me it was ok I learned a few new things. But it still did not change how I feel about the music or the band.

Who Killed Kurt Cobain? The Story Of Boddah will hit the store shelves November 1st, 2016.

 

Aliens and Vampire's oh my!

Aliens/ Vampirella

Written By: Corinna Sara Bechko

Dynamite Entertainment and Diamond Book Distributors

Hardback Trade

154 pages

Two iconic horror franchises collide, as Vampirella - the fan-favorite supernatural heroine - faces the most nightmarish creatures ever to appear in cinema: the Xenomorphs from Alien! As the first human colony on Mars digs deeper into the crimson soil, they discover the catacombs of a hibernating civilization, tens of thousands of years old. The evidence suggests that they are Nosferatu, an ancient and sinister species that Vampirella is all too familiar with. Called to the Red Planet to investigate, the monster hunter and her human allies find a chamber with hundreds of ellipsoidal, leathery eggs... and after they hatch, the true horror begins. In space, no one can hear Vampirella scream!

So how do you start off a review about two horror icons that you are very fond of but yet together they are just... well...     

Spoilers Ahead 

Waffle Ninja

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea

Written By: Ben Clanton

Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties, and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.

A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever -- even though it doesn't have any words...or pictures!

Ben Clanton showcases the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together and the power of imagination in the delightful Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.

We received Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea from NetGalley in return for an honest review of the book. And I must say WAFFLE NINJA this is a super fun read. If you have ever read Piggie and Elephant's adventures  by Mo Williams you will love Narwhal and Jelly! IF the pictures do not put a great big goofy grin on your face the writing sure will. This had both girls laughing to the point that they had to read it again. In fact, Lainey just came in and asked for the Ipad so she could read it tonight. It is just that much fun. 

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea does not come out until October 4th but I guarantee if you see it on the bookstore stands you will want to pick it up and give it a quick glance because I know you will want to bring this one home. My only regret would be that my girls are older now so I could not read to them with silly voices. 

A boy with Dyslexia

Knees

Written By: Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrator: Joe Rossi

Publisher: VanitaBooks

I know that I have not written a book review in a very long time. But after reading this book I just have to get the word out. 

Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia is a good books for kids dealing with dyslexia and for those who do not. In simple terms, the author explains what life is like for a child with dyslexia. Louis narrates and lets readers know what his life is like with dyslexia. From backward letters and numbers to words jumbling in the air and falling into his ear messed up and difficult to understand, Louis has a challenging life.

The book is simple yet gets the point across in a very brilliant way. The illustrations are very simple and not too confusing for somebody like me that suffers from Dyslexia. 

For those of you that have been coming to my blog for the past few years may have noticed a difference in my writing. I suffer from Dyslexia and this blog has made me better. I do not jumble my words as much I take a little more time to write what I'm thinking and my grammar has gottin' ( yes that last word was a joke). I love to read and write it just takes me much longer than most people. That's why sometimes my review are all over the place. It use to scare me to write down my thoughts but in the end, it has made me better. 

This book really tells a good tale and no matter how bad it is or how bad it can get you will always find something your good at. 

I highly recommend this book especially if you have a child that is suffering from this disease. 

Facts about me you did not know:

I use Siri when I really get stuck on a word.

It takes me 30 to 40 minutes to read ten pages. Where my wife can read a 300-page book in a day or two. And my girls are great readers.

I love to read as much as I love to watch movies it just takes me longer and I don't mind.

When I was younger I almost gave up on reading. I remember the day my dad looked at me and said just find something you enjoy to read. So he bought me a few comic books and a Sports Magazine and told me this is reading despite what people might say. He was right and thanks to him I still read. 

I struggled in school due to my Dyslexia so much I hated going yet I loved school. I did not find my place in the school system until I went to high school.

But look at me now I'm having fun and enjoying my life. I still love to read comic's and magazines as well as books.We go to the summer reading program every year. And we have a Little Free Library in our yard. 

I'm currently reading Command & Conquer Tiberium Wars and I promise I will finish it and write about it soon. 

A Cold Blooded Killer!

The Snowman
R.L. Stine

Pages 181

Published September 1,1991

(Young Adult)

Poor little rich girl . . . Coveting her money, Heather's uncle/guardian hates her and makes her life miserable. Heather sometimes cannot help wishing her uncle dead. But when Heather's uncle really does die, her new boyfriend tells Heather that he killed her uncle . .for her.

I found this at a book sale for 10 cents just to have a quick read. The book starts off with Heather and Ben sucking face just like most tween books read. But for some reason, this was able to take me away (way) back to high school. Really feel the hate Heather has for her Uncle and that really sets the tone for this book.

Of course, a young handsome man walks into Heathers life and calls himself the Snowman. And she like most girls looking for the rebel in their lives falls madly in love with two boys.

Snowman is really creeping in the book and you start to feel for Heather oddly enough. I was really surprised at the pace of this book. Once it gets going its a page turner. I wanted to get to the end of the book as soon as I could. They way the Killer kept showing up was great and the charters made you feel for them as the story went.

I was really surprised by this book only took me a night to read it. I picked up a few R.L. Stine books dirt cheap and so far I'm glad I did. I did not read his books in high school and now I wish I did. Even being older now "The Snowman" really holds up.

3 Bloody Brains out of 5

Wow Sorry, All I have had time is to read lately. I will review a movie again soon I promise.

Burn Baby Burn!

Mister B. Gone

By Clive Barker

Release Date October 2007

Pages 256

Mister B. Gone marks the long-awaited return of Clive Barker, the great master of the macabre, to the classic horror story. This bone-chilling novel, in which a medieval devil speaks directly to his reader--his tone murderous one moment, seductive the next--is a never-before-published memoir allegedly penned in the year 1438. The demon has embedded himself in the very words of this tale of terror, turning the book itself into a dangerous object, laced with menace only too ready to break free and exert its power.

A brilliant and truly unsettling tour de force of the supernatural, Mister B. Gone escorts the reader on an intimate and revelatory journey to uncover the shocking truth of the battle between Good and Evil.

I did at times find myself-talking to Mister B out loud. The Book really draws you in once you get to the middle of the book. But did this new concept work. Well... I did enjoy the whole demons vs angels story, the crappy dad and the way he told the story of Hell. I really want to tell you I liked this book but I'm not sure I can.

It took me a long time to read this but I did not want to give up on it. With that said if you see in it in the dump bin for $3.00 buy it you may like it. As for me,

2 Bloody Brains out of 5

Move over, Charles Dickens—it's Christopher Moore time.

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror By Christopher Moore.

Synopsis
Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh bells, oozing eggnog, reeking of pine, and threatening festive doom like a cold sore under the mistletoe.
'Twas the night (okay, more like the week) before Christmas, and all through the tiny community of Pine Cove, California, people are busy buying, wrapping, packing, and generally getting into the holiday spirit. It is the hap-hap-happiest time of the year, after all.
But not everybody is feeling the joy. Little Joshua Barker is in desperate need of a holiday miracle. No, he's not on his deathbed; no, his dog hasn't run away from home. But Josh is sure that he saw Santa take a shovel to the head, and now the seven-year-old has only one prayer: Please, Santa, come back from the dead.

But hold on! There's an angel waiting in the wings. (Wings, get it?) It's none other than the Archangel Raziel come to Earth seeking a small child with a wish that needs granting. Unfortunately, our angel's not sporting the brightest halo in the bunch, and before you can say "Kris Kringle," he's botched his sacred mission and sent the residents of Pine Cove headlong into Christmas chaos, culminating in the most hilarious and horrifying holiday party the town has ever seen.

Monster Nation

In the heart of America, in the world’s most secure prison, something horrible is growing in the dark. A wave of cannibalism and fear is sweeping across the heartland, spreading carnage and infection in its wake. Captain Bannerman Clark of the National Guard has been tasked with an impossible mission: discover what is happening — and then stop it before it annihilates Los Angeles.In California, he discovers a woman trapped in a hospital overrun with violent madmen. She may hold the secret to the Epidemic but she has lost everything — even her name.David Wellington’s first novel, Monster Island, explored a world overcome by horror and the few people strong enough to survive. Now he takes us back in time to where it all began — to the day the dead began to rise.

OK so this book starts off so slow I almost did not finish it. Monster Nation takes place before Monster Island but fits in just fine. In fact, MN could stand on its own two legs. I love the detail David Wellington puts out for you, you really get transformed to his realm. The book really gets cooking towards the end and you don't want it to stop.

You finally get to her what is going on but can we stop it!! Despite the slow start, this book is still a great read. After I read this book I was looking into more of Wellington's work. He has become an author I would read. I will be checking out his book about werewolves at some point.

Monster Nation

4 Bloody Brains out of 5

Monster Island: A Zombie Novel

This is a zombie novel--a fantastic zombie novel. Most of the world has fallen to the undead, with pockets of survivors clinging to a precarious existence. At the behest of the leader of the Free Women's Republic of Somaliland, a shipload of those makes the ludicrous trip from Africa to New York in a desperate quest for medicine. New York is a wasteland, and everything depends on a small, incredibly dedicated band of teenage girls, armed to the teeth, and native guide Dekalb, formerly a UN arms inspector. Also, in NYC, there is Gary, a zombie who, completely unexpectedly, retains live human mental faculties. The questers get ringside seats for some of the apocalypse's finest moments, and no matter how prepared they thought they were, something worse awaits in the depths of New York. When zombies have already overrun everything, that's saying something. There are many layers to this zombie apocalypse, and this book just gets things rolling. Stay tuned. Regina SchroederCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

This book hits the ground running and never lets up, I could not put this down. If you need a zombie fix this is it the best of the best. This book was brought to me from a co-work and I'm glad he did. This is a trilogy and when I was done I needed the book to right there and then. The characters are spot on and you feel yourself getting sucked into their world.

The only drawback for me was it does get weird towards the end with mummy's and evil spirits but don't let that stop you. read it for free online or pick up the book. http://www.brokentype.com/monster/

5 Bloody Brains out of 5

Camp Fear By Carol Ellis

Ok before you say anything yes this is a tween book but who cares the title screamed buy me so I did. I picked this book up at the book sale for .25 cents.

Rachel is hired as a counselor at Camp Silverlake for the upcoming session. All counselors must meet up a week before for orientation. Things get off to a great start at first, until strange things start happening. One day, Rachel is assigned the job of the upkeep on the lobby/lodge bulletin board for the upcoming campers. She decides to put up pictures of the past years at the camp. Afterward, everyone becomes very quiet and irritated with her for no apparent reason. She soon finds out why....Seven years earlier, a camper died of an accident, and Rachel accidentally put his picture up right in the center of the board. Aside from that, unfortunate mishaps occur, such as a snake in someone's bed, etc. Even scarier, it happened to the person who has a phobia of snakes! Similar events occur, according to peoples' phobias and fears, and Rachel begins to wonder if she could also be in danger!

I found camp fear of being a quick read, a fast action packed story. The storyline, however, was a bit too predictable and the ending wasn't satisfying. In fact, it just ended. But don't let that slow you down. This book will stay on my shelve to read again at another time.

Camp Fear

                                       3.5 Bloody Brains Out of 5

Do Not Go Down That Hole, Are You Nuts?

The Doom Stone By Paul Zindel

Synopsis
A killer beast—half-man, half-apelike—terrorizes the English plain on which Stonehenge lies. Fifteen-year-old Jackson Cauley, with the help of his anthropologist aunt and a local girl, has tracked down the predator’s lair. But the source of the beast’s power lies in the ancient Doom Stone of Stonehenge, and unless its secret is unlocked, the deadly slaughter will continue.

This book wastes no time at all with its first kill with in the first 3 pages. Join Jackson on a twist and turn filled hold your breath tale of creatures under ground.

I Love Zindel's work "My durling my Hamberger" and "Pardon Me, Your Stepping on My Eye Ball" and this book was a 180 degree turn from everything I have read. While reading this book I did find myself holding my breath. This book is written for tweens so no real blood. Do not let that throw you off its a good summer time read and will not take more then a day or two.

I was lucky to find this book at a book sale for .50 cents. The real good news I was able to trade this book on paperback swap.

Doom Stone

3 Bloody Brains out of 5