Tag: Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Starfire by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Starfire by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While Raven, Gar, Max, Damian, and Dick drive toward California to find the other person on the HIVE list, Kori Anders is home from college and working at a beach club for the summer with her sister Kira. Kira’s boyfriend – and his uncle – have invited Kori to be part of an experiment at a lab to learn more about her EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type 1). While her time at Edge Pharmaceuticals brings her a new friend, Vic, Kori doesn’t feel any better about Tate and his uncle. And when they take Kira to HIVE after she starts displaying powers, Kori and Vic start looking at what HIVE is up to.

Review

The emphasis in the 5th book of Kami Garcia’s Teen Titans series is on Kori and Kira as they discover their powers and get drawn into HIVE. We get Victor for the team who is also a great partner for Kori as she tries to take her stand against HIVE. When the rest of the Teen Titans show up, she has a full team on her side. But that also sets her in conflict with her sister.

As always, this was over too soon, and I now have to wait a year for the next installment. I can’t wait. I have loved this series from the start, and it holds up each time I re-read it for a new release. I wanted more of the team in this as those group dynamics are my favorite part of the series. But the next book should deliver more team interactions.

While most of this book is about Kori and Kira, and therefore newcomers could probably start here, the earlier books are so great, I think it’s better to dive in from the start of the series.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Raven and Gar have broken free from HIVE and are on the run with Max and Damien. They meet up with Max’s mom to regroup – and train for whatever comes next.

Meanwhile, Dick Grayson is tracking Damien. They got off on the wrong foot when Bruce introduced them. Dick is determined to find his brother and help him.

While Damien would love to send Dick packing, the group knows they have a lot to overcome if they want to be ready for HIVE’s next move. And Dick could be an asset.

Review

I love this series more and more with each book. I really enjoyed watching the growth of the two couples. But the relationship between Dick and Damien was my favorite part of this one. I wanted to read this again as soon as I finished. I also loved the cover tease for book five, which is a must-read for me.

DC fans, Teen Titan fans, and graphic novel fans should not miss this series. There are some dark and occultish elements in Raven’s story (her demon father, astral projection, talking to and raising the dead) that might not work for sensitive readers. But there’s nothing else in this series that has raised any red flags for me. I re-read the whole series before letting myself dive into this one, and it was so satisfying. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Raven has trapped her demon father and is desperate to keep him out of her life. Desperate enough to hop a train to Nashville to meet up with a guy who says he can help.

Raven’s foster sister, Max, is following her in secret to protect Raven from whatever trouble she might run into.

Garth is still adjusting to his recently un-suppressed powers. He’s on a bus to Nashville to meet a guy who says he has the answers Garth is looking for.

And there’s someone else who is supposed to be meeting up with Slade Wilson. He’s the smart one – observing, wary. And as he watches, he sees what happens next.

Review

EEEEEK! I love these books! This was fantastic! I loved Gar and Raven together. It was great to see them connect. I also loved Max’s presence – as well as the other person who is watching. The only complaint I have about this series is that the books are TOO SHORT. I finish each one begging for more. (There’s a cover reveal for the next book at the back, and I am HERE FOR IT.)

I enjoyed the balance here between the character development and the budding romance along with the next bits in the Slade story. Is it enough? No, not for me. But I was satisfied with the balance between the two aspects.

I don’t know that readers have to go back to read Raven and Beast Boy first, but it will certainly help fill out the backstories for Raven, Max, and Gar. And now that readers can slam all three books in one go, it might feel more satisfying than when I read each one and then had to wait a year for the next installment.

I highly recommend these – for graphic novel fans, and for DC fans. (Demons/ghosts)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!