Showing posts with label Six of Crows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Six of Crows. Show all posts

Monday, March 26, 2018

Fandom Foods: Happy Waffle Day!

March 25th was National Waffle Day, so to celebrate such a glorious holiday, I would like to provide you with a recipe for your everyday, typical waffle and then offer some tweaks with fandom twists.

First, here is your ordinary waffle recipe, the bare bones of our fandom foodie fun:


Typical Waffle Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; set aside. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the milk, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture; beat until blended.

Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.

Stranger Things 

Now, to put a fandom spin on these tasty treats. If we're talking waffles, then we HAVE to start with Stranger Things, right? El loves Eggos, but that doesn't mean we can't make hot, fresh, and homemade waffles.


Suggested Tweaks:

Though, you could always just buy Eggo Waffles...

Suggested Toppings:

French Fries (secondhand fries are fine)
Ice Cream
Apples
Whipped Cream
Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding

Six of Crows series

If you haven't read Six of Crows or anything by Leigh Bardugo for that matter, then I suggest you stop reading this post and pick up something by her immediately!

Image result for six of crows

One of the characters in the series is a girl named Nina, who is an accomplished magic user and avid waffle appreciator. She adores these fluffy, sweet treats. Thus, I present tweaks and toppings that I'm sure would be Nina (and Inej) approved. Since the country Nina comes from is based a lot on the Russian culture, I added some Russian flare to breakfast. 

Suggested Tweaks:

Add Cognac (brandy), condensed milk, and caramel to mixture and give it a traditional Russian flavor. For a non-alcoholic substitution, instead of using Cognac, replace with peach, pear or apricot juice.

Suggested Toppings:
More Caramel and chocolate never hurt!
Walnuts (if not allergic)

Teen Titans

Teen Titans (the original, not Go!) is about teenagers fighting crime, but more importantly, it's about friendship and the time we spent with the ones we love. Each team member has their own unique personality, so I thought that I'd give you several options about how to better your waffle experience. 

Waffles. it from a show.. Teen Titans!!!!

With the team in mind, here they are:

Suggested Tweaks:

Instead of regular eggs, make sure to use vegan substitutes. Beast Boy is vegetarian, but I'm positive he would much prefer the vegan recipe. Here's a recipe from the Flaming Vegan

Ingredients: 

2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 cups of unsweetened soy milk
4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt

Instructions: 

Step 1: Grease the waffle iron with a drop of vegetable oil and turn it on

Step 2: Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl

Step 3: Add the soy milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients

Step 4: Whisk the mixture by hand until it forms into a smooth batter

Step 5: Pour the batter into the waffle iron according to its instructions.

Second option might be to dye the waffles purple for Raven.

Suggested Toppings: 

Have a mustard dipping sauce on the side to satisfy Starfire, chocolate chips for Robin, and lots of crispy bacon for Cyborg (just, don't tell Beast Boy). 

Persona 5

Persona 5 has become my latest obsession. It's a strategy game which revolves around the idea of teenagers, who usually do not have that much power in society, having the ability to change people's hearts for the better.


When it comes to food, there are many options in the game. Some food even gives you health or magic boosts. So, since Persona takes place in Tokyo, I wanted to offer Japanese flavor options.  

Suggested Tweaks: 

Add Matcha to the mix.

Toppings:

Assorted Fruit (pineapple, apple, strawberries, banana, berries)

Red Bean Paste

Voltron Legendary Defender 

Voltron is a show about a group of people fighting to save the Galaxy. One of the characters, Hunk, is a brilliant chef, so when he's faced with alien food, he can get pretty creative.

Image result for voltron hunk food

Here are some suggestions to help inspire you to think outside the box with your breakfast, just like Hunk!

Suggested Tweaks: 

Colored dye

Lemon juice

Suggested Toppings: 

Cut into triangles to signify Al markings

Boysenberry syrup

Star-shaped sprinkles

Incorporating fandom into anything can be fun. Having your passions shine through will brighten your day and get the creative juices flowing in new and exciting ways. Though Waffle Day has passed, know that if you so choose, waffles and fandoms can be enjoyed whenever you feel like it. If you like books AND waffles, be sure to follow my friend Jaime at her blog here.

Have you ever made fandom-inspired waffles? 

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Steal My Heart: 5 Upcoming Thief-Themed Fandoms


Persona 5 released this past Tuesday and I've reallllyyy been wanting to play it, partially because it's been YEARS since they've released a new Persona game. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a little longer to actually try it out, since I'm too busy playing the HD PS4 versions of all the Kingdom Hearts games. But I'll get to it eventually. After all, Persona 5 has teens transforming into thieves to steal the hearts of corrupt individuals! I can already tell that I'm going to love it.

I'm aware that I have an obsession with thieves (*ahem* Six of Crows, D.N. Angel, Magic Kaito etc.), so that's why I'm extremely excited for a thief-themed Persona. Below, I have listed 5 fandoms about thieves I anticipate experiencing (and thoroughly enjoying) in the coming year(s).

Persona 5


Though the rest of my list includes upcoming, unreleased fandoms, Persona 5 can be purchased right now! But since this post is dedicated to its release, I felt it was necessary to include it (plus, it hasn't even been out a week yet). In short, Persona 5 is about a group of teenagers who all come to realize that adults are unfairly taking advantage of and suppressing the freedom of others. To combat this, the teens form “The Phantom Thieves of Hearts” in order to steal the root of various adults' corruption. They live dual lives, one in which they're normal students and another in which they're phantom thieves. Just as in previous Persona games, the teens must unleash Personas to unlock special powers and abilities. 
Why I want to play it:
  • I mean, come on, who doesn't want to be a phantom thief?
  • The promise of once again playing a game that merges the best qualities of a dating sim with an RPG. 
  • You have to be strategic and stealthy. (This intrigues me.)
Thick as Thieves (The Queen's Thief series) by Megan Whalen Turner
(out May 16, 2017) 


Remember reading The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner? If not, then you’re seriously missing out. For those who aren't familiar, the book is about a magus that seeks out a thief named Gen, whose boasting gets him in major trouble. Gen accompanies the king's magus on a quest to steal an unnamed legendary object. Throughout this charming tale, we find Gen to be both amusing and stunningly clever. To top it off, there are even interesting stories about this world's ancient gods and goddesses. Believe it or not, this series just gets better as it goes along. I didn't want it to end! And with Thick as Thieves, it doesn't have to! Though the story isn't about Gen this time, it still takes place in the same world. To be honest, I haven't heard much about it, except that it features a new character named Kamet, who is set on a different path from the one he expects.


Why I want to read it:
  • More about Gen’s fantastical world!! 
  • This book includes a map of the Queen's Thief world!! 
  • Megan Whalen Turner is a genius. Enough said. 
The Star Thief  by Lindsey Becker
(out April 11, 2017) 


Another book I've had my eye on is The Star Thief. The story follows a maid named Honorine, whose whole life has been spent daydreaming about something more. When she stumbles upon a mysterious stranger atop a fiery horse, she finally gets her chance to begin a true adventure. She soon comes to realize that she’s much more important than a maid and that she's in the middle of an epic battle between magic and science. From what I can gather, this story has an interesting fantasy concept (constellations come to life!!) set in a steampunk world.

Why I want to read it:
  • Like I said, constellations are coming to LIFE! How cool is that?
  • It's steampunk!! 
  • This book is an action-packed middle grade book? Sign me up! I need more to booktalk.
The Sly Cooper Movie 
(not likely until after 2017)


Right around the time that I started playing Kingdom Hearts, I tried Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. Man, I spent many a night playing through this wonderful game. Unfortunately, I never got around to playing the others in the series, but perhaps I'll pick it back up later on.

All the games follow the misdeeds of Sly Cooper the raccoon and his team as they make their way through various heists. What truly brings these games to life is the comic book style animation and need for stealth and carefully timed attacks. That’s why this movie, which has yet to be given a release date, has me so hyped. It makes me wonder what the plot is going to be like. Here’s hoping it stays true to Sly and the gang’s mischief and humor.


Why I want to watch it:
  • Opportunity to relive my childhood
  • Awesome stealth scenes (I know, I have an obsession.) 
  • It's a heist...WITH ANIMALS!! 
Genies Movie and the Live-Action Aladdin Movie
(release dates TBA)


Everyone’s aware that Disney is currently revamping most of their classic Disney movies from the golden age, so of course they’re thinking about doing a live-action Aladdin. How awesome would it be to see our most beloved street rat win the heart of the fearless Princess Jasmine?

But before they film Aladdin, they’re hoping to create a live-action prequel called Genies, which will be about (you guessed it, folks) the Genie before he meets Aladdin. Just like Sly Cooper, Genies and Aladdin have yet to have official release dates. The only thing I’m worried about is how the new actor for Genies is ever going to live up to Robin Williams' rendition.


Why I want to watch it:
  • Pure curiosity. Like I said above, how will this guy pull off Genie?
  • To find out what Genie was like before Aladdin.  
  • Will they get an all Middle Eastern cast? Please, please, please. 
I’ve said this before, but just to reiterate, I adore thieves. Perhaps it’s the thrill of the heist, or maybe it's the love of the unlikely antiheroes triumphing by using just their wits, agility, and dexterous fingers. Thief-themed stories help us see that cleverness trumps strength and that people have flaws, but that doesn't mean that they're terrible human beings. Life's a bit more complicated than that.


Did I miss any upcoming fandoms involving thieves? Let me know below. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Fangirl Experience: Meeting Leigh Bardugo

The Fangirl Experience is a monthly column suggested by Jaime Heller, featuring contributions from both our staff and our readers. Everybody has those moments when being a fangirl feels like the world has become perfectly balanced. It's those moments when you feel a stir in your heart that maybe you've made the right decision in falling down the fandom vortex. When, in the words of my good "friend" Zachary Levi, your "unbridled passion for something, or things, defines who they are as a person without fear of other people's judgment." It's that moment you want to share with the whole world, scream to the rooftops, about what happened. Maybe it's a small moment, maybe it's a big one. But every fangirl has one--or will have one--and we would like to share ours with you.
Because our Initiative would be nothing without the Experience.


By Jaime Heller

A few years ago, I picked up a YA high fantasy book series at the recommendation of an acquaintance: the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. I was wonderstruck by this series because it was fantasy, but it took a different turn than the typical Western European-style world-building; it was based on a Slavic--or Russian/Eastern European--setting. It was refreshing to read something different and something that went deeper than other books. There was a lot of real-world issues brought to light within the story, and it was incredible to read a fantasy novel that led me to understand the real world more. (Just add that to the list of reasons I love fantasy.) Thus, when Leigh Bardugo scheduled an author visit within driving distance of where I live, I immediately messaged Kelly and demanded we go to this event.

A week ago, we had the privilege to hear Leigh Bardugo speak and also meet her face-to-face, and yes, get our books signed! (*fangirl squee*) The host library was about an hour and a half from where we live, so it was quite the adventure going (though we didn't get lost). We left early to avoid traffic and to scout out the library beforehand. (We needed to know exactly where and when and how we were going to see her.) We went to a mall to waste time and find something to eat, and then we headed back to the library with too much excitement for one car!

The whole trip there and while we waited I kept asking, "What should I say? What should I say?" because, of course, last time we met an author I completely blanked and didn't say one word. *facepalm* I had determined to mention at least three different things when I talked to her, but we'll get to that in a moment.

We returned to the library to find a line had started to purchase books. Since I didn't own any of her books, I had to buy both books for the Six of Crows duology: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. I took them in my hand and just kind of sighed. I had read Six of Crows before, but Crooked Kingdom was brand new and I couldn't wait to read it. But I held off. (Because I knew if I started I would want to just read it all in one sitting.)


We still had about a half hour until the event started, so we found a seat and tried to work on our own world-building projects. It didn't last long because as the room filled with fangirls and, yes, fanboys, we were distracted by other discussions about books, writing, and fandoms! There were two people who sat in the same row as us that were also very excited to be there, and we talked to them about all types of things. It's hilarious to get a group of fangirls in a room together. We can be complete strangers yet find plenty to discuss and have absolutely no shame doing so.

Finally, finally, seven o'clock rolled around, and the teen librarian introduced Leigh in all her gorgeousness (silver hair, black dress, cane and all). It was great. The interviewer started off with a few of his own questions about her writing and the new book, and it was wonderful. Leigh was hilarious. She just nailed it on some of her responses. She also had a lot of good advice about writing and the writing process and how to be an author, and I'm grateful I was able to hear her speak. They opened up questions for the audience, and she answered from anything to everything: whether cereal is just cold soup, what are some intricate details about world-building and outlining, who her favorite OTPs are, which character is she the most like, and also things she couldn't answer about upcoming projects, including a Wonder Woman novel.

It was a blast to hear her talk, and I was quite entertained the entire time. Then we got in line for the book signing. We were near the back of the line, which was fine by us, so we had a lot of time to spend talking 'fangirl' with more people. Another fantasy author, Cinda Chima Williams, came to the event to see Leigh and get books signed (!!!!), so we obviously took a picture with her too. After about an hour and a half or so of waiting, it was my turn to meet her. (Kelly made me go first!)


I was still a little unsure what I wanted to say to her. I had wanted to mention the Wonder Woman project, but so many people brought it up during the Q and A and she wasn't allowed to say anything that I didn't want to be annoying. I also couldn't think of anything on the spot, though of course now I have like a dozen questions running around my brain.


So I stepped up and set the books on the table, and she said hi and asked if I was Jaime (the name on the sticky note), and I said yes. She asked if I'd ever been to one of her signings before and I said no. She asked if I had a favorite character, and I said no. (Though in hindsight I should have said "No, but I definitely relate to so-and-so the most" because she writes a quote for one of the characters.) She said that was fine. I did tell her my favorite character from the world was Nikolai, but he's not in Six of Crows. She signed my books, put "No Mourners, No Funerals" (a saying from the story), and was very sweet the whole time. I wish I hadn't been so nervous because I could have actually said something intelligent! We got a picture, and then, my time was over and it was Kelly's turn.


Even though I felt like I did the same thing when I met Marissa Meyer--blanked completely and looked like a complete buffoon for being shy--I still had a wonderful time going. I didn't have to ask her anything significant to enjoy the night. Hearing her talk, and laughing along with her and meeting her was enough to make the night worth it all.

But maybe next time, I'll think of something wonderful to say to her.

By Kelly Chaplin

You know that feeling you get waiting in line for an amusement park ride? You start to feel queasy, you lose all appetite, you overthink the situation, and you can’t stop thinking about what it’s going to be like when you finally get to experience it. Well, the build-up to meeting Leigh was in much the same manner of anticipation.

I was giddy, I was thrilled, I was...kind of nervous. In the end, it was spectacular, and here are the reasons why:

The Friends and New Acquaintances
Of course, it was a pleasure to hang out with Jaime for this big event celebrating the release of Crooked Kingdom. We had fun on the ride up and had an awesome time dawdling around the mall and library beforehand. It was also great to see a few people I knew. Waving a mutual friend over to sit by us and surprising the librarians I used to work with during my practicum were added bonuses.

It was also nice to see new faces and get to know those sitting next to us. In fact, I got to meet three lovely (once) strangers, all people who appreciated and respected Leigh. All people who had read her books and worshiped her writing just as much as I did.

The Interview
Before long, it was time for Leigh to make her grand entrance. Silvery, stylish hair, decked in all black, she looked stunning!! Now, I follow her on Instagram and Twitter, so I had a taste of how witty and hilarious she could be, but boy I was not prepared for her snappy, quick responses that kept getting smiles and laughs from the audience. She’s a true wordsmith, and I was absolutely starstruck to be in her presence. (Hence, the nervousness. She writes dark fantasy, and that's my favorite genre…)

There was even a surprise author in the audience: Cinda Williams Chima. She’d come to get her books signed by Leigh and, in response to this, Leigh exclaimed that there was a legend in the audience and made sure everyone knew who Cinda was.

After the interview, Jaime and I got to meet and take a picture with Cinda Williams Chima!! She was sweet and down to earth; she was amazing. And the best thing was that when I told her I’d received a job working with and for teens at a library, she HIGH-FIVED ME!!! Just goes to show that authors are the best people. They write for the good of their readers.


The Wait
Before we lined up to wait in line, everyone knew that there was something special waiting for them at the signing table...cards. Yes! Playing cards. But not just any type of card, no these were special in that they had the Six of Crows crew beautifully illustrated on each one, and if you picked the Wylan card, you would receive a poster with all the characters. I mean, I was excited for any of the cards. If you’ve read the book, you’d know that all the characters are equally complex and lovable.

We ended up at the END of the line! THE END!!! Oh, it was glorious. Not only did everyone in our group have time to catch up (and get to know each other for those who had just met), but it was also nice because meeting Leigh would feel even more special without eighty people behind us.

As we approached her signing desk, I asked Jaime to get in front of me. Jaime was just as brave as a Gryffindor (and just as bookish as a Ravenclaw) as she agreed to go first. She approached Leigh’s desk like a dazzling white knight approaches a dragon (with the intention of sipping hot chocolate with the dragon, not slaying it).

In mere minutes, I would talk to Leigh, and I didn’t even know what I was going to say.


The Meeting
This was it. This was what I’d been waiting for.

I stepped up to greet her. She took my book in her hands, and I blurted out, “I’m so nervous right now.” Yup, I know. Sounded lame to me too.

But she paused and glanced up. Honestly, I can’t remember what she said but she made me feel at ease. It was then that everything else just came spilling out. I told her how much of an honor it was to meet her. I told her how much I adored Kaz and Inej, to which she promptly wrote an Inej quote in one book and a Kaz quote in the other. And lastly, I told her how I was writing my own novel. She smiled and told me to let her know how it went. Her request even sounded sincere. Tweet to Leigh in the future? Perhaps.


I picked from the scattering of cards and drew Jesper. Smirk, guns, and all.

Phew, it had been a long night but a good night. And in the end, I was just happy to have gone because it was well worth having Leigh write “No mourners. No funerals” in my book. A bit of luck (and a pleasant greeting) is always welcome, especially from such a talented author.


Have you ever had an out-of-this-world fangirl experience? The Fangirl Initiative wouldn't be complete without the help of you, our readers. We want to hear and feature your stories and tales. If you have a fangirl experience you'd like to share in this column, let us know!

For more of the Experience, check out our Instagram for daily Fangirl Experiences.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

10 Books You Should've Read in 2015


With the New Year only a handful of days away, I've been looking over the (long) list of books I've read this year. From starting new series to saying goodbye to others to reading various comic books, my list is chock full of stories I've fallen in love with. However, as any book lover knows, sometimes I don't get to every book on my to-be-read list. There's an even longer list for that.

With this dilemma in mind, I've constructed a list of books published in 2015 that any book lover should read. If you didn't get to any of these in 2015, make sure to put them at the top of your 2016 to-be-read pile.


Winter

The final installment in the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, Winter continues the futuristic, science-fiction, fairy tale retellings with the story of Snow White, or Winter. This book did not disappoint. I loved every moment of it, falling in love with more characters than I thought possible. I'm sad to see this story end, but it was definitely a wild and noteworthy ride. If you like fairy tales and science-fiction, or either of those, I think you'd enjoy this story. It's one of the best retellings I've ever read, and it's a well-written, exciting YA series that should definitely be a TV show. Come on, it's fairy tales set in a futuristic world and outer space!

Fairest

Another tale in the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, Fairest follows the story of the evil queen, Levana. Yes, that's right, folks: we get the villain's backstory. And it is marvelous. Marissa Meyer is gifted with being able to capture the atrocities Levana went through as a child to turn her into the evil monster she becomes without evoking pity or "justification" for her actions. She allows us to see and understand how Levana became who she is, but she is still an evil queen who does not deserve to rule. It's an interesting twist from normal story arcs. Plus, the details of the Lunar world were exquisite. If you enjoy the first three books in the Lunar Chronicles, I highly advice picking up this book before you read Winter. It's the recommended reading order from the author herself.

Six of Crows

The author of the Grisha trilogy and Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo, basically describes this story as Ocean's Eleven... with magic. A heist novel with six striking characters, Six of Crows delivers a wild punch into the world of outlaws and Slavic fantasy. Let's just say, I loved every word of this novel. Mystery, intrigue, magic--this book has everything and more for lovers of fantasy. The plot kept me on my toes, while the characters kept me grounded in the world. And the ending... whew, that's one cliffhanger I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive. Basically: this book is awesome and worth the 400+ pages. Plus, it's gorgeous.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer

If there are two things I love, they're mythology and humor. And Rick Riordan has a knack for bringing the two together. Magnus Chase is the latest demigod of Riordan's creation, only this time his parent is a Norse god. Oh, yeah. For years, I thought Riordan should do a series about Norse mythology after his Olympian series became a favorite. Well, here we are. And this book does not disappoint. I don't know Norse mythology as well as Greek or Roman (because my high school English class decided it wasn't important enough to learn), yet I had no trouble reading this story and, yes, even learning the Norse deities. Full of humor, action, and a whole lot of crazy, The Sword of Summer is a great start to a new trilogy. Plus, it's a fun way to be educated.

Shake to Assemble

This picture book is as cute as Marvel can get. Basically, you follow the instructions on the physical pages of the book in order to assemble the Avengers team. From "flicking" Cap's shield to "flapping" the book like wings, the goal is to bring the team together by interacting with the book and using your imagination. No fancy touch screens here! Let's just say, this is the cutest book ever and any Marvel fangirl should check it out. It also makes a great gift for the younger generation you might be trying to train to follow in your fangirl footsteps.

Go Set a Watchman

While I did not have a chance to read this, I know it's been popular book for conversation. Over fifty years after the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee's sequel, Go Set a Watchman, was published this past year. It tells of Scout, two decades later, returning to her childhood home and what secrets still remain there. If you enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird, I think it'd be worthwhile to read Go Set a Watchman.

Siren's Fury

The second book in the Storm Siren trilogy, Mary Weber continues the tale of Nym, a girl with the ability to summon storms, and her determination to save not only her country but the surrounding kingdoms from a dreadful monster. Everything about this series just screams wonderful. Nym is a strong, well-written female character. The world, while somewhat simplistic, provides a complementary backdrop to this tantalizing tale. This is a good fantasy series worthy of reading and enjoying. Laced with strong messages, strong characters, and a strong plot line to tug me through to the final book, the Storm Siren trilogy is something to keep your eye on.

Listen, Slowly

Aimed for middle grade, Listen, Slowly follows the story of Mai, a Vietnamese girl born and raised in California, who is forced to spend her summer in Vietnam with her grandmother. But their trip takes a turn, when they begin to search for clues about her grandfather, who went missing during the Vietnam War. While the story is written for a younger audience, I still felt the importance of the book and the culture it explores. It's definitely worth the read. And the cover is gorgeous.

An Ember in the Ashes

Another book I failed to read this year, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabba Tahir has been receiving a lot of buzz. Set in an ancient-Rome inspired world, this high fantasy novel raises the stakes for two characters determined to do whatever it takes to find freedom. I've heard good things about this book--from the world building to the romance story thread to the characters. I'm definitely putting this near the top of my 2016 TBR pile. I can hardly wait to read it!

Remnants: Season of Fire

One of my favorite authors, Lisa T. Bergren manages to create a fantastic, futuristic world full of danger, magic, and excitement. A perfect blend of fantasy, dystopian, action, and romance, the Remnants series is one of the best YA series I've read in recent years. It's a fresh take on the over-done dystopian genre, mixing in hints of fantasy and faith to keep the story strong and moving. It doesn't disappoint. The third book releases early 2016, so hurry and read this series to catch up!

Bonus: Graphic Novels
As I mentioned, I read a lot of comic books this past year, including the entire Marvel Civil War story arc. (Yes, it's devastating.) However, for graphic novels released in the past year, here are a few you should definitely read:

(source)
Ms. Marvel: Okay, this is probably the best comic book series I've read this year, and it's definitely the best solo-female lead I've read. Kamala Khan is a Pakistani-American teenager living in Jersey City, who accidentally gains superpowers when the Terrigen Mist is released across the city. Not only is she hilarious, but she's relatable. I think this is one of the best up-and-coming comic book heroes. I can't wait to see where her story takes her!

Thor: Goddess of Thunder: Obviously, this comic is worthy to be read. While I've only read volume one, I can tell this is going to be an exciting read. Not only is her identity secret from Odin, but Odinson (aka the original, manly man Thor) doesn't like someone else wielding his hammer. Thus, exciting stuff happens.


(source)
Manga Classics Emma: No graphic novel list would be complete without some kind of manga recommendation. However, this one is a bit different. It's an adaption of Jane Austen's novel, Emma, in a manga style. Don't like the "old" writing style? This graphic novel will tell you the tale of Emma Woodhouse and her matchmaking adventure with stunning, manga-style illustrations. That's right, folks: Mr. Knightley as a manga character. Talk about swoon-worthy.

Darth Vader and Friends: If you haven't read the Darth Vader and... series by Jeffrey Brown, you're missing out. This series brings to life "what ifs" of the Star Wars universe. What if Darth Vader raised Luke and Leia? What if Vader had friends? Using iconic characters, moments, and planets, these books provide humorous scenarios for the Sith Lord to grapple with.

Have you read any of these titles? What 2015 books do you recommend fangirls should read?