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[katara]

Title: The Beast of Boggy Creek The True Story of the Fouke Monster
Author: Lyle Blackburn
Format: Epub
Rating: 4/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: April 16, 2017 to April 18, 2017
Book Summary: For more than a century, reports of a strange beast known as the Fouke Monster have circulated among the locals in southern Arkansas. Described as a large, hairy man-like creature, it’s said to haunt the vast Sulphur River Bottoms as it travels the secluded waterway known as Boggy Creek.

Over the years, the creature has been seen by numerous witnesses including respected citizens, experienced hunters, famous musicians, and even a police officer. The encounters were often so shocking, they served as inspiration for the classic horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek, by Charles B. Pierce.

Tales of the creature have long existed in scattered pieces across news clippings, memoirs, police reports, and movies, but it is only now that the complete history of the Fouke Monster has been assembled in one place. This book collects all the facts, theories, and amazing sighting reports, and weaves them into a fascinating tale about this undeniable southern mystery, one that lives on, as frightening encounters with the Beast of Boggy Creek are still being reported today!
Book Review: Do you remember the film The Legend of Boggy Creek?

Then this book will be definitely for you.

This book was well-written and well-researched into the history of the creature that haunts the Boggy Creek area. It dives into the first sightings of the monster and well into the 1970s when the monster made the most appearances, sending several residences fleeing from their homes in terror.

I must say I was deeply impressed with Blackburn's research. He really knew how to separate myth from reality and his research was indeed thorough into this most famous Southern bigfoot. This was the first Bigfoot book I read where the research really showed through both the newspaper clippings and interviews with the locals. There stories really jumped out at you and the author gave you the impression of a caring and sympathic soul who weaved their tales with images that put you in the story.

Honestly it made me feel as if I was the one telling the story and I was the one reliving the encounter.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was impressed with the research. Not many Bigfoot books out there seemed to be this thoroughly researched. I know some of them are merely stories being told again to the public but that is all most fo them are - stories. There does not seem to be any human element to the story but this book gives you that.

I do plan to read more of Blackburn's books in the future.

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[katara]

Title: Darth Vader, Vol 3: The Shu-Torun War (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel Darth Vader #3)
Author: Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larroca (Illustrations), Leinil Francis Yu (Illustrator), Kaare Andrews (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: April 18, 2017
Book Summary: The Dark Lord of the Sith's unstoppable march continues! The natives of Shu-Torun are revolting, and there's no way the Empire will stand for that. When Darth Vader is tasked with leading a military assault against the planet, could it be that his rise to glory has begun? But who will follow Vader into war? Would you? Then again, it's better to fight alongside Vader than against him. That's a lesson that the ore barons are about to learn. Collecting DARTH VADER #16-19 and ANNUAL #1.
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.5

Whatever you do never ask Vader to dance.

This comic series is set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. In this set, Vader has been tasked to bring down a rebellion in Shu-Torun. He has made Trios queen. For now, Vader will have to put aside his need to find the young Skywalker and focus the task at hand. With the twins and the evil counterparts to C-3PO and R2D2 in tow, Vader must prove himself to the Emperor but it won't be easy as espionage and double-crossing are added into the mix!

Although I have loved this series, I felt this series did little to push forth. I suppose with the writers having to insure that it stays in-canon, you really don't have much to do with Vader except send him out to squash a rebellion, install a queen, and search for Aphra, who is currently MIA. Still Vader continues to remain one of the most badass villains to ever grace the screen and comic book pages. I have relatively enjoyed this series and though I am not a fan of this one, I remain loyal to his series.

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[katara]

Title: Darth Vader, Vol 4: End of Games (Star Wars Disney Canon Graphic Novel Darth Vader #4)
Author: Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larroca (Illustrations)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: April 18, 2017
Book Summary: Darth Vader has been secretly pursuing his own agenda, but now it is time for the End of Games. As Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information, it seems that Vader may have passed his master's tests. But even after finding favor in the eyes of the Emperor, the Dark Lord's schemes may yet prove his undoing... Plus, the killer droids Triple-Zero and Beetee wreak havoc in their own homicidal adventure! Marvel's in-depth exploration of the Dark Side of Star Wars goes from strength to strength!

COLLECTING: DARTH VADER 20-25
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.5

This books ends with the last several issues of the comic series, Darth Vader.

The droids, Triple Zero and Beetee, have been sent out to capture Doctor Aphra. Once she is captured, she decides it is time to tell exactly what Vader has been secretly doing behind the back of the Emperor.

Vader returns to Palpatine and learns the reason behind everything. As a Master/Apprentice, Palpatine wanted to make sure that he had chosen the right person to turn to the Dark Side of the Force. He believed that by orchestrating all of this, he believed by teaching Vader that Vader would not disappoint him in the least. Of course, Vader delivers and Palpatine believes he has become what he has desired in an Apprentice.

Cylo has escaped and Palpatine sends Vader once more out on the mission to destroy him. Vader does exactly what he was told to do and destroys Cylo completely but not without complications. Vader is captured and deactivated.

Or at least what Cylo believes Vader to be. Unfortunately while "deactivated", the Sith inside him destroys any remains of his humanity before regaining control to destroy Cylo.

When Vader returns he finds that Alphra has made the Emperor's acquaintance and this displeases Vader immensely because he does not want the Emperor to know of his side plan to find Luke. Of course Alphra does not tell and the Emperor is even more proud of Vader building up his own army, but Vader is still displeased by this act of betrayal. He has her follow him where she tells him that she did not tell the Emperor of his little side job of trying to find Skywalker. Still, Vader is displeased that he pushes Aphra into an airlock and sets her out into space.

Think that was the end of Aphra? Think again. She is rescued by the two homicidal droids and the Wookie Bounty Hunter.

As for Vader, he goes to Tatooine and while waiting for two Bounty Hunters, he destroys an entire village of Tusken Raiders....or he so thoughts..?

This was the perfect ending to the series. It was nice to see the change in Vader between Episodes IV and V. To see him destroy the last remanents of his humanity was interesting. I never thought he would resort to something like that but maybe he didn't entirely kill it off as it does appear once more in Episode VI. Maybe at the moment, he thought he had but those moments with Luke might have brought that part of him rearing back to life. I would love to see this series continue inbetween Episode V and VI. It would be interesting to see what exactly he was doing there too.