ARC Book Review: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Volume 2

Title: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Volume 2

Author: Heather Nuhfer
Illustrator: Amy Mebberson

Publisher: IDW Publishing

# of Pages: 90 (in the digital, ebook ARC)

Release Date: 24 September 2013

Publisher's Summary: Get ready for another unforgettable adventure in the land of Equestria! Twilight Sparkle and gang are confronted with a perilous new danger in the form of a long-unseen enemy!

Review: It's no secret that I'm overly fond of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  The bulletin board in my office has a herd of twenty small plastic ponies marching across the top of the frame and I've been known to quote Twilight Sparkle in times of stress or when a book I'm particularly excited about comes into to the library.  (For example: "Get back! All of you! This is my book. And I'm going to READ IT!")  I mean, as a child born in the 80's who loves books more than most things, who wouldn't love MLP:FiM, especially since the protagonist is a unicorn librarian!

I was excited when Netgalley gave me an ARC of the MLP:FiM graphic novel and I devoured the book in one sitting.  I liked the graphic novel for all same reasons I like the show - it's witty, chock-full of inside jokes, and  the characters are independent girls (fillies?) who don't need to rely on anyone else to succeed.  And, of course, the moral lessons and underlying themes are all about the importance of friendship and being true to one's self.  All of this is achieved without relying on saccharine sweetness or outdated tropes.  There are some pretty blatant stereotypes (tomboys, girlie girls, know-it-alls, freaks & geeks) but these roles aren't rigid and each character is allowed to be more than her type.

Everything works really well as a graphic novel.  The animation translates well to book form and I love that the one-liners and asides to the audience get their own panels.  The plot is fast-paced and fun, with just enough drama to keep it exciting.  (Although there's never any doubt that there will be a happy ending!) I absolutely recommend this book to anyone, boy or girl, tween or adult, who enjoys the world of ponies and Equesteria. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 

ARC Book Review: The Dream Thieves

Title: The Raven Cycle #2: The Dream ThievesAuthor: Maggie Stiefvater - http://maggiestiefvater.com/

Publisher: Scholastic

# of Pages: 434 (in the digital, ebook ARC)

Release Date: 17 September 2013

Publisher Summary: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Review: In general, I'm torn about Maggie Stiefvater as an author.  (As a person and a woman, she's pretty kick ass, no question there!)  I disliked her Books of Faerie series and really, really disliked the Shiver sequence.  But I listened to The Raven Boys audiobook and enjoyed it so much that I found myself creating errands to run so that I could listen to it for just a little longer each day.  I also adored The Scorpio Races, but it was The Raven Boys that stuck with me weeks after I had finished the book.  

So when I saw that the sequel, The Dream Thieves was a potential NetGalley ARC, I promised the universe that I would start a YA book review blog if only Scholastic would pick me to receive a digital copy.  Two days later, I received the digital files and about eighteen hours after that, I had finished reading the book.
It completely lived up to expectations and did, what all second titles in a series should; it kept the action moving, introduced a few key characters, and left me desperately wanting to read the third installment.  

I enjoyed revisiting the characters and I especially enjoyed getting a chance to return to Henrietta.  Both Ronan and Gansey become more rounded characters.  Ronan's flaws seem a little less canned "bad boy" and Gansey's perfect is marred by more than just insomnia and obsession.  Even Blue becomes a little "Bella Swan" and more her own character.   My only disappointment was in the characterization of Adam.  Clearly  changed from his sacrifice to the ley lines, he is less likable.  I'd more okay with that if he was unlikable because of a drastic personality change because of the sacrifice, but instead it seems like the primary side effect is whining and temper tantrums about all of the things he doesn't have. 

I have read other reviews that have commented (both positively and negatively) on the differences in the dynamic among the characters from the first to the second book.  While it's true that the core characters are less connected in the second book, I think it's by necessity.  The series wouldn't be nearly as dynamic if all of the conflict came from forces and characters outside of the core characters.  That little bit of realistc in-group discord is what helps to set this story apart from similar titles in the same fantasy/magic genre. 

Plot wise, this is a smart sequel.  The goal of finding Glendower remains the same, even if the path to get there has altered somewhat.  Newly introduced characters affect the story in a way that feels natural, rather than forced.  Some questions are answered, most are not, but that's okay because the series hasn't ended yet.  And the fantasy elements of the book adhere to a logical structure without resorting to cheap explanations of "because it's magic."  (Although, I'm still waiting for a deeper explanation about Noah, but that's a gripe for another time.)

All-in-all, I adored this book almost as much as its predecessor.  The story is unique and the characters endearing.   I'm am anxiously awaiting the third installment.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars