Assassination Classroom Volumes 1-10

Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui Volumes 1-10, 1928 pages (10 books)

Koro-sensei is not your average teacher. In fact he is a quite literally monster. Having recently eaten half of the moon, he threatens to destroy Earth unless his pupils can assassinate him before the end of the school year. What at first seemed like a difficult task is made near impossible as his abilities come to light, such as moving at speeds near Mach 20 and being impervious to nearly all weapons. But the fate of the world is resting on class 3-E, or as they are known at their school, the rejects.

So far I have enjoyed this series more than I thought I would. When I first read the plot and even the first part of the book, I thought it was a little corny. My first though was this series would eventually rely on a loophole or weird twist to save the Earth. But as the series has progressed, Matsui has done a great job of convincing me that it might just be possible for this ragtag group of students to actually accomplish their goal. I got a real kick out of the way the monster helps his students both in their classwork, but also in their planning to kill him.

But since the series is not over yet, I am reserving my judgement till the end. I am predicting that he falls in love with the students and cannot bring himself to destroy the world. It would be cheesy, but at least it would not be a loophole.

Strain Volumes 1-4

Strain Book 1, Strain Volume 3, and Strain Volume 4 by David Lapham, 273, 128, and 136 pages


A quick note before I get into this review, Book 1 contained volumes 1 and 2. So while it might look like I am missing a book, I really am not.

Strain is a graphic novel series about a vampire infestation emerging in Manhattan. It all starts when one of the ancient vampiric masters is brought over by an eccentric billionaire with the hopes of being granted eternal life. The CDC is quick to respond though puppets of the vampire block, delay or deny everything.

These vampires are not the classic type with two fangs and the neck biting. These are more of the modern horror evolved vampires. The ones with a sharp protruding proboscis they use to stab their prey and suck the life out of them. It also infects them with these little worms that are the actual vampiric parasite. I have never been a big fan of this type of vampire, but it does really add to the horror and the gore.

This series is not for the faint of heart and does contain some pointless adult scenes.

Hang Wire

Hang Wire by Adam Christopher, 373 pages


This is one of those books that has four or five story lines that slowly converge in a finale. That makes for a slow and somewhat confusing start. To make it worse there is also a time element to give us more historical events. I honestly almost put this book aside as I had made it through 80 pages or so and still had no idea what the plot was, just that it involved a serial killer or two.

For those that might be interested in the book that basic plot is as follows. A retired immortal is trying to live peacefully on Earth but an ancient evil presence keeps trying to destroy the world.
The book is set up to be a thriller/suspense but only somewhat delivers. There are too many "and this will destroy the world" events going on make it believable and honestly how many books end with "and then the world was destroyed"? So we know good will prevail which takes some of the excitement out of it.

A Gift Upon the Shore

A Gift Upon The Shore by M.K. Wren, 375 pages

Mary is trying to make her way home when the end of the world hits. In the aftermath, Mary meets Rachel, who takes her in and the two manage to survive, always on the lookout for other survivors, which they eventually meet. There’s a group, calling themselves the Flock, who believe in the Bible absolutely and whose goal is that all survivors should believe the same. Mary’s goal is to teach the children truth and protect the vault of books that she and Rachel created to protect the books for future generations.

Wild Abandon, Joe Dunthorne

Wild Abandon, Joe Dunthorne,  319 pages

       I just checked this book out yesterday and promptly finished it this morning, not because it was badly written, but because I would have felt like there was something missing in my life if I didn't.  I kid you not, it was a great read, and amusing as all get out.  I was searching our online catalogue for fiction under the heading "end of the world" and this is one of the titles that came up in the search. 
        The narrative is centered around a family who lives on a commune in present day Wales, who are changing and coming apart at the seams. The book ended up being less about the end of the world and more about quirky characters that would go well in a film not unlike The Royal Tannenbaums.  The writing reminded me a lot of a British Tom Robbins, something akin to Even Cowgirls Get the Blues or Still Life With Woodpecker.  I cared less about the plot and more about the behavior of the protagonists, and their interactions with each other.  Worth the time, to be sure.