Teen Titans Academy Vol. 1: X Marks The Spot By Tim Sheridan

It has been a while since I read a Teen Titans comic. I fondly remember the year I borrowed the entire Geoff Johns run from the library. Wow, where does the time go? I also loved the original Teen Titans cartoon on Cartoon Network (before the “Go”) so I was intrigued by this new volume that appeared to introduce Red X into continuity. 

This was a fun book. I liked the introduction of lost of new kids with weird or possibly no powers. It really felt like it was trying to go for a Generation X feel. The older classic Titans characters didn’t get quite enough focus, but that’s hard with such a big cast. I particularly liked the kids from Gotham. 

This was a fun read! Thanks to DC and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison

Yay! Unexpected sequel to amazing book that was as good as the previous volume!

Like many people, I first encountered Katherine Addison when I found the Goblin Emperor on a bunch of awards ballots and was immediately enchanted. Within six months of reading it, I doubled back and listened to the audiobook  - that novel was charming and delightful and wonderful.  (I also adored her unrelated book, the Angel of the Crows, and I think more people need to read that.) I was thrilled beyond belief when Tor and NetGalley gave me an eARC for The Witness For the Dead, a related book in the same universe as The Goblin Emperor.  That book was a book of my heart -  It was the most enjoyable reading experience I had in months when I read it the first time.  

So I felt triply lucky when Tor and NetGalley gave me an eARC for The Grief of Stones, the direct sequel to the Witness for the Dead.  And it was perfection itself! We resume with Thara Celehar, the Witness for the Dead, continuing to hear petitions and talking to the recently deceased.  He solves some mysteries, has some adventures, and continues to visit the gentleman who runs the opera company that he became friendly with in the last book.  

This book filled me with joy. I almost missed my stop on Metro North because I was so close to the end and I didn’t want to stop! Content warnings for several suicides, several murders, and a stillborn child.  

If you liked The Witness For the Dead or The Goblin Emperor you will adore this book.  I can only hope there is a follow up soon!