never ever make a deal with the shadow man!

Disney Chills: Fiends on the Other Side (Book 2) – Jennifer Brody writing as Vera Strange 

Disney, children’s literature, villains, fiction.

Rating 9/10

Jamal always felt like a shadow, more like in his brother’s shadow. He felt very invisible. One day he receives stuff from his grandma which was just a skull necklace. A man appears and introduces himself as Dr. Facilier. Dr. Facilier wants the necklace but Jamal doesn’t want to trade that but he was willing to trade another item. Little does Jamal know that he must never make deals with the shadow man. 

This was exceptionally different and very dark for a children’s book. Like the other one there were a lot of dark themes but not too dark. I wasn’t expecting the author to continue with the same level of horror as the other one but with this one. I loved that there was a reference to the movie. The other book also has references to the movie but it was more evident in this one than the other. Altogether I enjoyed this and can’t wait to find more.

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very spooky…

Disney Chills: Part of Your World (Book 1) – Jennifer Brody writing as Vera Strange 

Children’s literature, Disney, villains, fiction.

Rating 9/10

Shelly wants to be popular for once and be a faster swimmer. Unfortunately when her parents split she had to go to a new school and join a new swim team. Just wanting to fit in and not be called ‘fish girl’. Her wish is to swim faster so that she can prove to her peers that she can be popular. Shelly finds a nautilus that takes her to this lair where an entity shows itself. Ursula, the sea witch, proposes a deal with Shelly. Shelly could become the fastest swimmer if she signs the contract and allows Ursula to call in a favor at any time. After twenty-four hours of contemplation, Shelly signs the deal. Unaware of the ramifications of her wish and the favor. It is too late to back out now… 

One of my favorite Disney Villains is Ursula. She is clever and very smart with her deals as well as executing her plans. In this book, she knows what she wants and knows what Shelly wants. The deal that was made was ultimately evil and brilliant. Not only that but to make deals with Ursula one has to be hyper-specific in which Shelly wasn’t. The writing of this novel was so immersive and vivid. This novel is perfect for young readers who want to read a spooky story and are Disney fans. This is also great for all ages really but the demographic for this was geared towards children. I believe this book can be found at local Targets in the children’s section or the Halloween part of the book section. There are more books in the series that have different Disney villains incorporated.

I love learning more about my fave Shouto Todoroki

My Hero Academia Vol 26 – Kohei Horikoshi

Manga, superheroes, super villains, quirks, school, fiction.

Rating 8/10

Deku, Bakugo, and Shouto begin to prove themselves as heroes to work at Endeavor’s work place. Each of them explains their strengths and their weaknesses. They all are invited over to Shouto’s house to have dinner. When they leave, they come across a villain and put the villain away. All of them worked together. The next day, life resumes for U.A. High but word on the street is a new villain that is way deadlier than any has ever faced.

This was alright. I loved the moments with Shouto’s family and saw that their family was healing. I mean it’s a good thing to try to mend the family. I appreciated this volume for the Bakugo moments. I think he is my second or third favorite. I will always love Shouto as my number one. As always, the artwork was perfect, and this was a rather a cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next manga.

a sad character backstory …

My Hero Academia – Story and Art by Kohei Horikoshi

Superheroes, villains, schools, manga, teen, fiction.

Rating 9/10

Tomura Shigaraki was Tenko Shimura, that was before he got his quirk that ultimately changed his life. His quirk makes people deteriorate into pieces. That is his origin story of how he became Tomura Shigaraki and feared by most. The Meta Liberation Army decided to pick a fight with Tomura, that was their worst mistake because Shigaraki’s quirk should never be under estimated. The Meta Liberation Army is defeated, and the Commander pledges the entire Army to and under Shigaraki. Deku and his fellow classmates learn how to do interviews on television. Eri celebrates her first Christmas with class 1A and the season is full of joy. While Shoto asks Deku and Bakugo if they want to work at his father’s agency, the Meta Human Liberation Army continues their plotting with a new leader.

This manga gave me overwhelming amount of emotions from the first page until the very last page. One of them was Tomura Shigaraki’s origin story that had me crying. This quirk was so traumatizing and so horrible to the point I understand why he became who he currently is. Another scene that had me balling my eyes out was Eri celebrating Christmas, but she was wearing a cute Santa Outfit and was so cute and adorable about it. That tugged hard at my heart strings the most. The poor kid suffered and deserves the whole world. I loved this book especially for that scene. I do suggest reading this entire manga series as well as watch the anime series too. Both are good, and the anime remains true to the manga. However, season 5 is in the works from the last I heard about and I hope they continue to remain true for anime series. Otherwise, I might have some issues in regards of the directing and production of the next season. To catch up, I think Hulu does offer all four seasons dubbed and subbed, for sure Funimation has them up to date with the dubs and subs.

one more secret keeper…

My Hero Academia Vol. 23 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 8/10

Deku discovers a new quirk during the training battle. After the battle, the results are in and class I.A. wins and class I.B. loses and more optimistic than ever. Deku goes to talk to All Might and Bakugo confronts him as well as Todoroki about his second quirk. Deku explains what happened to All Might and Bakugo. Bakugo now is well aware of Deku’s acquired quirk that its One for All and connected the pieces that All for One is connected to One for All. Meanwhile, the League of Villains plan and there is a new enemy on the horizon, Meta Liberation Army.

I am so disappointed in the fact that I binge read the series like its nothing. After some deliberation of finishing this volume, I found myself liking new characters as well as appreciating the existing characters. This one was bittersweet to finish, and I realize the next one doesn’t come out until July. Which it’s sad but this was worth it completely. I don’t like the new enemy at all. Why can’t the League of Villains and this new group get it that heroes are going to squash them no matter what nomus they produce. Anyways, I do have to say, I do recommend the entire manga series. :]

FIGHT

My Hero Academia Vol. 22 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 10/10

The class versus class pairings and each team is pitted against the other. As they all fight in training, each student thinks of where they are and where they stand. Something strange happens to Deku during his training fight. The League of Villains are plotting once more of something more sinister.

This adds on to the great character development and that shows during these battle trainings. The weird thing that happens to Deku is oddly strange. Can’t say much until I read the next volume. Id really love to find out soon enough though! Other than that, loved the detailed battle scenes here. Didn’t want to get into details of the fight scenes and what each character reflects on their life up to the point in which they are all at.

dreams reveal all truths

My Hero Academia Vol. 21 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 8/10

The fight leaves Endeavor damaged and weakened. Hawks is acting shady and suspicious. Endeavor goes home and so does Todoroki, the family has a conversation about the past, Deku learns from his dreams more about One for All and All for One, and the previous users of One for All. Deku goes to All Might to talk to him about the dreams. They discuss that its normal to see their memories through dreams. Its time for a class against class training battle with a guest hoping to get into the hero course, Shinso. The pairing begins and so does the training battles.

This one was alright; I did like more insight in regards of All for One and One for All. The topic was sparsely discussed in earlier volumes, but this volume gave more clarity. I don’t necessarily feel bad for Endeavor but still can’t pity him. The reason is one has to read the manga to find out for themselves. I suspected a traitor given that somehow the villains know where the students and heroes are going to be. I might know who the traitor is, but I won’t tell a soul. Read the manga. However, the art gets better and better. I do like the costume or hero gear upgrades to winter versions. They are still useful without losing practicality. Which in my opinion is important and vital? I mean… They are ought to do hero work and need to have customized gear that is attuned to their quirks and the environment conditions such as the seasons at least.

the school festival

My Hero Academia Vol. 20 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 10/10

After the fight Deku and Gentle Criminal undergo, Deku has to run to make it in time for his class’s performance. Gentle Criminal turns himself in. The performance goes off without a hitch, and Eri is smiling for once in her life. She feels free. After the performance, Deku owns up for his actions and isn’t punished. Todoroki’s father, Endeavor, works with Hawkes, another hero, when a Nomu comes to attack. Not a great day for Todoroki.

The concert performance was everything I had envisioned it. I was so glad that the performance made Eri smile. Someone like her needs more happiness and less gloom in her life. Especially what she went through no one should go through that. I was shocked when the incident happened with Endeavor and that mutated Nomu. I don’t like him as much. I wonder why they decide to make an appearance but this time they looked very hideous and nightmare fueling.

anything to make her smile..

My Hero Academia Vol. 19 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 9/10

Deku goes to visit Eri and Mirio in the hospital. They find out that she has never smiled before. Mirio and Deku begs Eraserhead to figure out a way for her to go to the school festival. That is approved under a condition. Only way the school festival happens is if no villains attack, if they do, its all canceled. Deku will ensure that. The entire class prepares just in time for the school festival. However, a new villain by the name of Gentle Criminal has plans to disrupt. Those plans are destroyed as soon as Deku comes across him and La Brava, Gentle’s sidekick. Deku does what anyone would do in this case. Try to protect the school at all costs.

I am happy that things were starting to go back to normal until Gentle Criminal and his accomplice decided to go attack the school. Not good. I do approve what Deku does and that is the best school spirit anyone can have. If that isn’t school spirit, then I don’t know what is. I hate the fact that U.A. students, specifically, Class I.A. can’t get a break! I just like how Deku took matters into his own hands.

recovering after the ultimate fight

My Hero Academia Vol. 18 – Kohei Horikoshi

Heroes, villains, crime fighting, drama, comedy, manga, school, fiction.

Rating 8/10

The fight between Chisaki and Deku ends. Only some injuries and a fatality, Sir Nighteye, dies from his injuries during the fight. Everyone goes to the hospital to recover. Everyone wonders, including Deku, what quirk that Eri has. Meanwhile, Todoroki and Bakugo are finishing up their hero licensing remedial work. A new and peculiar villain pops up. A school festival is in the works and class 1.A. plans to do a concert. All Might has private tutoring sessions with Deku about using more of One for All.

This wasn’t much eventful other than the finishing of the epic fight battle. I was so sad of the fatality. I had grown to love Sir Nighteye cause if his peculiar personality. I’m anticipating how to see the unfolding of the concert goes. I would love to see it honestly. That is something of normalcy that these students should experience. Especially since their year has been mostly them fighting off no good villains. I do feel bad for this class.