Haunted Heroine - Book Review

Haunted Heroine (Heroine Complex #4)

by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:

The fourth book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series follows Evie Tanaka, Aveda Jupiter, and Bea Tanaka as they combat a new supernatural threat.

Everything in Evie Tanaka's life is finally perfect. As a badass superheroine, she defends San Francisco from demon invasion on the regular. Her relationships with superhero partner Aveda Jupiter, little sister Bea, and hot, half-demon husband Nate have never been stronger. Maybe it's possible for a grad school dropout turned put-upon personal assistant turned superhero to have it all?

As if things can't get any better, Evie learns she's pregnant. She's overjoyed, but also worried about whether she's cut out for motherhood. Before she can dwell on her dilemma too much, a women's college reports a string of mysterious "hauntings," and Evie and Aveda are called in to investigate. When the hauntings turn deadly, they decide to move into the dorms full-time, going undercover as grad students.

As she lives out a bizarre version of her grad school life, Evie can't help but wonder about the road not taken: what would her life be like if she'd stayed here instead of pursuing superheroing with Aveda?

What did I think of it:

Mostly this was yet another great addition to this fun series. I do have one grumble though.

So Evie got together with Nate in the first book of this series. Once again she's the lead character, so of course there have to be relationship troubles...

Come on!

You can write a story about someone in a relationship without throwing that relationship under the bus! Especially as the relationship isn't the focus of the story.

That major grumble aside I enjoyed this story. Evie and Aveda make a great team, and in this book they meet some awesome people who help them on their quest. I loved the friendship that was at the heart of this book.

The ghosts and everything connected to them made for a compelling story and I was eager to find out what was going on.

All in all a very enjoyable read apart from the relationship drama.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Super Heroine read 

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I Love You So Mochi - Book Review

I Love You So Mochi
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement. She's obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel brave, fabulous, and like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother sees this as a distraction from working on her portfolio paintings for the prestigious fine art academy where she's been accepted for college. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.

When she arrives in Japan, she loses herself in Kyoto's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival--and meets Akira, a cute med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. What begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.

What did I think of it:
I love Kuhn's Heroine books, so I really wanted to give her YA book I Love You So Mochi a try as well. The hardcover was a bit too expensive for me though, so I had to wait until the release of the paperback.

And it was well worth the wait.

What a lovely and beautiful story.

Yes: the romance between Kimi and Akira is super sweet and adorable, but it was Kimi's grandparents who stole my heart. I can tell you that I totally rooted for them to win Kimi's love, and their interaction with Kimi and with each other was so sweet and heartwarming. I totally had to blink away tears a time or two.

Kimi's own journey of self discovery with Akira at her side is really fun as well. I was invested from the start and read the book in almost one sitting. *shakes fist at intrusions and responsibilities*

All in all this book is a delight to read and you can bet it's going on my keeper shelves. Now the wait begins for the next Heroine book.

Why should you read it:
It's a sweet and fluffy YA delight.


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Unsung Heroine - Book Review

Unsung Heroine (Heroine Complex #3.5)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
This standalone novella in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine Complex series follows personal superhero trainer Lucy Valdez and friends Aveda Jupiter and Bea and Evie Tanaka as they combat a new supernatural threat.

Lucy Valdez is many things: fight trainer/bodyguard to superheroines, fabulous vintage fashion plate, undisputed karaoke queen at local joint, The Gutter. She is also one of the toughest fighters in all of San Francisco without superpowers. So why can't she seem to confess her feelings to her longtime crush Rose Rorick, head of the San Francisco Police Department's Demon Unit?

Well.... actually, she knows why. She's afraid Rose won't like the real Lucy, the Lucy underneath all the fabulous bravado. (She is still fabulous underneath that bravado--just in a different way.)

When a mysterious new karaoke star rises up at The Gutter and eclipses her, Lucy finds her confidence further shaken--and when strange, seemingly supernatural happenings threaten both this new star and The Gutter's very existence, she must rise to the challenge and investigate alongside Rose. Will Lucy be able to vanquish the demonic threat to her beloved karaoke haven, confess her true feelings to Rose, and reclaim her karaoke throne?

What did I think of it:
I love the Heroine Complex series, so you bet I got my trotters on this novella about Lucy and Rose.

This novella is awesome!

Lucy and Rose have been favorite minor characters of mine and I loved seeing Lucy in the lead and trying to sort out her feelings for Rose while having to deal with an unknown supernatural threat.

I was rooting for Lucy to get her act together and sweep Rose off her feet, but she is stubborn and didn't make things easy on herself and Rose. And then there's the supernatural threat. I kept guessing and adjusting my theories as the story developed. Once I started on this novella I had to keep reading and finished it in one sitting, it was that fun and suspenseful.

All in all a wonderful addition to the series. I'm looking forward to more!

Why should you read it:
If you're a fan of the series, you need this novella!


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Heroine's Journey - Book Review

Heroine's Journey (Heroine Complex #3)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
The final book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series completes the "Heroic Trio" as Bea Tanaka joins her sister, Evie, and diva Aveda Jupiter in their quest to free San Francisco from its demon portal problem

If there's one thing Beatrice Tanaka never wanted to be, it's normal. But somehow, her life has unfolded as a series of "should haves." Her powers of emotional projection should have made her one of the most formidable superheroes of all time. And she should have been allowed to join her older sister Evie as a full-fledged protector of San Francisco, pulverizing the city's plethora of demon threats.

But Evie and her superheroing partner, Aveda Jupiter, insist on seeing Bea as the impulsive, tempestuous teenager she used to be--even though she's now a responsible adult. And that means Bea is currently living a thoroughly normal life. She works as a bookstore lackey, hangs out with best friends Sam Fujikawa and Leah Kim, and calms her workplace's more difficult customers. Sure, she's not technically supposed to be playing with people's mental states. But given the mundanity of her existence, who can blame her?

When a mysterious being starts communicating with Bea, hinting at an evil that's about to overtake the city, she seizes the opportunity, hoping to turn her "should haves" into the fabulous heroic life she's always wanted. But gaining that life may mean sacrificing everything--and everyone--she holds dear...

What did I think of it:
I loved the other two books in this trilogy so got my trotters on this one as soon as it released.

And what a cool read.

I will confess I didn't expect to love Bea as much as I did. She was a complete brat in Heroine Complex, and although she shaped up a bit in Heroine Worship, I had my doubts. I shouldn't have feared. Just like Aveda won my heart in Heroine Worship after a rocky start in Heroine Complex, Bea won my heart as well. I even wanted to kick Evie for being a typical older sibling, and Evie has been my favorite so far.

I also loved Sam, Leah, and Leah's dog Pancake. Especially Sam was fun and a true friend. I loved that he called Bea out when she made mistakes and let her know when she went too far. Leah tried to do this as well, but seemed to be less confident.

The story was full of action, mystery and emotion. There were some things I could puzzle out, but other things took me by surprise. I loved seeing how things came together. If I hadn't been forced to stop reading for such things as dinner and social commitments I'd have easily finished this book in one sitting.

All in all a great read. I'll most definitely keep my eyes out for more books by Kuhn.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome super heroine read.


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Heroine Worship - Book Review

Heroine Worship (Heroine Complex #2)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
Once upon a time, Aveda Jupiter (aka Annie Chang) was demon-infested San Francisco’s most beloved superheroine, a beacon of hope and strength and really awesome outfits. But all that changed the day she agreed to share the spotlight with her best friend and former assistant Evie Tanaka—who’s now a badass, fire-wielding superheroine in her own right. They were supposed to be a dynamic duo, but more and more, Aveda finds herself shoved into the sidekick role. Where, it must be said, she is not at all comfortable.

It doesn’t help that Aveda’s finally being forced to deal with fallout from her diva behavior—and the fact that she’s been a less than stellar friend to Evie. Or that Scott Cameron—the man Aveda’s loved for nearly a decade—is suddenly giving her the cold shoulder after what seemed to be some promising steps toward friendship. Or that the city has been demon-free for three months in the wake of Evie and Aveda’s apocalypse-preventing battle against the evil forces of the Otherworld, leaving Aveda without the one thing she craves most in life: a mission.

All of this is causing Aveda’s burning sense of heroic purpose—the thing that’s guided her all these years—to falter.

In short, Aveda Jupiter is having an identity crisis.

When Evie gets engaged and drafts Aveda as her maid-of-honor, Aveda finally sees a chance to reclaim her sense of self and sets out on a single-minded mission to make sure Evie has the most epic wedding ever. But when a mysterious, unseen supernatural evil rises up and starts attacking brides-to-be, Aveda must summon both her superheroine and best friend mojo to take down the enemy and make sure Evie’s wedding goes off without a hitch—or see both her city and her most important friendship destroyed forever.

What did I think of it:
I ordered this book right after I finished the first book in this series.

And this is yet another fun read.

Aveda is not as easy to like as Evie, in fact I didn't much like her in the first book. But in this book you get to see more about what makes her tick, and soon I could understand why Aveda is such a difficult person. I even started to root for her. It sure helps that Aveda is aware of her flaws and is actively trying to better herself, even though not always in the best way. By the end of the book I loved Aveda.

Aveda's love interest was also a character in the first book, and I wasn't impressed by him there, and in this book he didn't manage to make much of an impression either.

Luckily there's so much more to this book than the romance. I was invested in what was going on from the start and wanted to find out who or what was behind all the strange things that were happening. As with the first book I love how suspense and humor manage to go hand in hand. There isn't a dull moment.

Even though the first book is still my favorite, I very much enjoyed this book as well, and you bet I will get my greedy trotters on the third book once it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and very entertaining Superhero read.


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Heroine Complex - Book Review

Heroine Complex (Heroine Complex #1)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
Being a superheroine is hard. Working for one is even harder.

Evie Tanaka is the put-upon personal assistant to Aveda Jupiter, her childhood best friend and San Francisco's most beloved superheroine. She's great at her job—blending into the background, handling her boss's epic diva tantrums, and getting demon blood out of leather pants.

Unfortunately, she's not nearly as together when it comes to running her own life, standing up for herself, or raising her tempestuous teenage sister, Bea.

But everything changes when Evie's forced to pose as her glamorous boss for one night, and her darkest comes out: she has powers, too. Now it's up to her to contend with murderous cupcakes, nosy gossip bloggers, and supernatural karaoke battles—all while juggling unexpected romance and Aveda's increasingly outrageous demands. And when a larger threat emerges, Evie must finally take charge and become a superheroine in her own right... or see her city fall to a full-on demonic invasion.

What did I think of it:
This book starts out with a fight between Aveda Jupiter and murderous cupcakes, and I was immediately hooked!

What a fun read!

I really liked Evie, even though I thought she was letting herself be treated like a doormat at first. The events she gets involved in, force her to make some important decisions, including how she lets other people treat her. Most of the other characters were fun to read about as well. My favorites were Nate, the stoic scientist, and Lucy, Aveda's personal trainer and Karaoke champion. I didn't much care for Evie's sister at first, but there's some really interesting character growth in both Evie and Bea that made me reconsider later in the book.

I loved how much humor this book has, while still being a really suspenseful read. What is going on? Will Evie manage to save the day? What weird situation will she get involved in next? What's with the breakfast cereal?

All in all this is a fast paced, fun and funny read, and I can tell you I ordered the next book in this trilogy right after finishing this book. And not because this one ends with a cliffhanger, but because it's just that good!

Why should you read it:
It's a really fun and action-packed Superheroine read.


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