Book Review: Black is for Beginnings


Blue Is For Nightmares, Book 5 - by Laurie Faria Stolarz. Title: Black is for Beginnings. Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz. Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel. Paperback: 168 pages. Publisher: Flux (September 1, 2009). Description: Prophetic nightmares. Near-brushes with death. Killers pursuing her and her friends. Stacey Brown knows that being a hereditary witch isn't all it's cracked up to be. All she really wants to do is work things out with Jacob and figure out what to do with the rest of her life. But before Stacey and Jacob can have a future, they must face their pasts. Black is for Beginnings reveals the never-before-seen backstory, and what lies ahead for the young, spellcasting lovers. It's happening again... My Review: I read Blue is for Nightmares back when I was, um, younger. Wasn't a huge fan. At all. I just didn't enjoy the vibes coming off the book. I wasn't interested in reading more. So why did I read this? I don't know. After I left the library with it I was questioning my sanity. The majority... okay, okay, all of the book was annoying. Trying to be hip. And down with the kids. The romance and angst were irritating. The big annoyance was the main character: Stacey. She was extremely insecure. 

Insecurity, like feistiness, if done wrong, can make you hate a character. From my experience. Insecurity can become a chronic whining and moaning. Feistiness is often another, nicer, word for extreme bitchiness. Of course, this insecurity was enhanced by the fact that this is a graphic novel. Every unsure glance. Every drawn brow. Every constipated expression. For heaven's sake her face on the cover is exactly what I am talking about. Anyway, the book is all about Stacey's insecurity, her regret and her self-absorption. Nothing much besides that, of interest (key phrase here), was really happening. The ending was a killer for me. Stacey, obviously gets the dude, but she has to ask if her likes her. "Do you hate me? You do right? I bet you think I am dumb and ugly!" Omg! I was about to die. She never gains any confidence. Would have enjoyed some character growth here! Well, they're teens, one can only hope that relationship crashes and burns. Sorry I always get like this, acting like it's all real, when characters or a plot/story annoys me greatly. My rating is 1/5. Would not recommend this book. Unless you love the author and her Blue series. Or if you are an immense junkie of GNs.