RBD Review #24 | The Accidental Cannibal by Dale Rutter

**I was approached by the author and given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Book info:
The Accidental Cannibal by Dale Rutter | 301 pages
| Self-published, June 2016 by the author | Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Supernatural

Summary:
Samuel is a cannibal by accident.
The year is 1071. William the Conqueror is King and the land is still ravaged after his conquest of England.
In a small dystopian village, a famine ensues. Some resort to cannibalism. It wasn't Samuel’s choice. Unbeknownst to him, his parents fed him human meat when he was younger. He doesn't blame them, times were hard but he now has an ongoing battle with his unwanted addiction to cannibalism. He is flawed.
However, he isn't a normal cannibal, it's changed him in ways he didn't know possible.
He acquires abilities from his cannibalism but at great sacrifice to himself.
Part of the abilities torment Samuel though, it questions whether the cannibalism is right. He considers quitting but it's not that easy. The urges are too overwhelming.
Too controlling.
Also, whilst hunting, he runs into a mysterious sinister stranger, a fellow ‘powered cannibal’ who complicates things beyond comprehension; Samuel wants to quit but what if he needs his abilities if things get ugly? When things get ugly. Will he even keep his abilities if he quit the cannibalism?
Together with his friend Lizzie; his rock and voice of reason, they must battle Samuel’s demons as well as the pompous stranger who has big dark plans for the world.
Lives will be lost and Samuel will unravel a world unimaginable to him including more ‘powered cannibals’ just like him but how far will he delve into the unknown world before it costs him and those around him? (courtesy of Goodreads)

My thoughts:
DNF at 10% (3 chapters) on July 16, 2016 | 1.5 stars

RBD Review #19 | Believarexic by J.J. Johnson

Book info:
Believarexic by JJ Johnson | 464 pages | Published October 2015 by Peachtree Publishers | Biological novel, YA realistic fiction (external image)

Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Jennifer has to force her family to admit she needs help for her eating disorder. But when her parents sign her into the Samuel Tuke Center, she knows it’s a terrible mistake. The facility’s locked doors, cynical nurses, and punitive rules are a far cry from the peaceful, supportive environment she’d imagined.

In order to be discharged, Jennifer must make her way through the strict treatment program—as well as harrowing accusations, confusing half-truths, and startling insights. She is forced to examine her relationships, both inside and outside the hospital. She must relearn who to trust, and decide for herself what “healthy” really means.

Punctuated by dark humor, gritty realism, and profound moments of self-discovery, Believarexic is a stereotype-defying exploration of belief and human connection (courtesy of Goodreads).

My thoughts:

• I was given a digital copy of Believarexic in exchange for an honest review by Peachtree Publishers. 

RBD Review #17 | Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! by Ben Clanton

Book info:
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! by Ben Clanton | 64 pages | Expected publication, October 2016 by Tundra Books | Children’s graphic novel.

Summary:
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever -- even though it doesn't have any words...or pictures!
Ben Clanton showcases the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together and the power of imagination in the delightful Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.

My thoughts:
Read May 17, 2016 | 5/5 stars

• I was given a digital copy of Narwhal and Jelly in exchange for an honest review by Penguin Random House Canada.

*NEW* RBD Review #27 | The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman by Brady Stefani

Book info:
The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman by Brady Stefani | 282 pages | Published June 2016 by Spark Press | YA , Sci Fi, Coming of Age

Summary:
Fifteen year old Courtney wants to be normal like her friends. But there’s something frighteningly different about her—and it’s not just the mysterious tattoo her conspiracy-obsessed grandfather marked her with before he disappeared. She's being visited in her bedroom at night by aliens claiming to have shared an alliance with her grandfather. And imaginary or not, they're starting to to take over her mind. “Mental illness is a slippery slope,” her mother warns her.

The last thing Courtney wants to do is end up crazy and dead like her grandfather did. But what about the tattoo? And the aliens trying to recruit her? With her new alien-savvy friend Agatha and her apocalyptic visions, Courtney begins connecting the dots between the past, present and future—of her bloodline, and the ancient history that surrounds it. Is she going insane, like her family claims her grandfather did, or is she actually a "chosen one" with ancestral connections to another world? Either way, Courtney has a mission: untangle her past, discover the truth, and stop the apocalypse before it's too late for everyone.

My thoughts:
Read July 28-September 12, 2016 (DNF at 20%) | 1.5 stars (2 on Goodreads)
---I was given a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review---

I was not into this book. I don't really know how I made it to chapter 14 because it frustrated me to no end.

I don't know what I thought when I decided to request this book. I think the summary is quite appealing, but I don't think that came across in the writing. In all of my notes, I don't have much that's a true, positive comment. I have lots of thoughts about where I think it might be heading, but that's really it.

I see that the rating on Goodreads is quite high. I think that this may just be a case of "not for me," but I'm going to explain what I saw wrong with it and what I didn't like.