Graphic Novel Reviews: Submerged and The Black Mage

Title: Submerged
Author: Vita Ayala
Illustrator: Lisa Sterle
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Publisher: Vault Comics
Pages: 144
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On the night of the biggest storm in New York City history, Elysia Puente gets a call from her estranged little brother Angel, terrified, begging for help. When the call cuts out suddenly, despite the bad feelings between them, Ellie rushes into the night. Finding his broken phone in front of a barricaded subway station, Ellie follows echoes of her brother into the sinister darkness of the underground, desperate to find him before it’s too late.

I stumbled across Submerged while searching for graphic novels by creators of color and was immediately pulled in by the creepy cover. I tend to ignore reviews when it comes to comics because I like mine a bit dark and weird, so I wasn't too put off by the mixed reception and was eager to read this! 

In Submerged, Ellie goes out to find her brother after getting a panicked call from him. She ends up in the subways on the night of a huge storm and finds herself on a bizarre journey where she has to face her past. It was weird. I know I said I like weird books and I truly, truly do, but this was just way out there. I had a very hard time following the story from early on.

As Ellie goes through the subway, she sees flashbacks from her childhood and teenage years. Her father was abusive, her mother was an enabler and didn't defend her children, and her brother was a selfish jerk. I really wasn't quite sure what the point was supposed to be. The art was really nice and I did like that it seemed to have ties to Greek mythology, but this just wasn't for me. 

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Title: The Black Mage
Author: Daniel Barnes
Illustrator: D.J. Kirkland
Publication Date: August 13, 2019
Publisher: Oni Press
Pages: 153
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When St. Ivory Academy, a historically white wizarding school, opens its doors to its first-ever black student, everyone believes that the wizarding community is finally taking its first crucial steps toward inclusivity. Or is it? When Tom Token, the beneficiary of the school's "Magical Minority Initiative," begins uncovering weird clues and receiving creepy texts on his phone, he and his friend, Lindsay, stumble into a conspiracy that dates all the way back to the American Civil War, and could cost Tom his very soul.

The Black Mage has been on my TBR for awhile, but I was hesitant since I didn't think I would like the art style. I finally decided to give it a try this past weekend and I'm so glad I did! 

Going into this book, I was basically expecting Black Harry Potter based on the Amazon page, but that was definitely not what this was. This story includes the ghosts of historical figures including John Henry, Harriet Tubman, and Fredrick Douglass. The main character, Tom Token, is the only Black student at the wizarding school and his familiar's name is a crow named Jim. The headmaster wears a Klan uniform and I was not prepared. 

I really don't want to say too much more about the plot, but I loved this story! The humor is amazing, the art is gorgeous, and the pacing kept me hooked. I kept seeing people say this was very similar to Harry Potter in reviews, but it really isn't at all, other than the setting being a school for wizards. I'll definitely be buying a copy for my shelf! 

ARC Review: Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker & Wendy Xu

Title: Mooncakes
Author: Suzanne Walker
Artist: Wendy Xu
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Publisher: Lion Forge
Pages: 256
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//I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review//

A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home.

Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

I spotted Mooncakes for the first time at ALA where my friend Erin told me that I absolutely HAD to read it! I missed out on grabbing an ARC of it there but thankfully received one from Netgalley later. The art style was what really made me want to pick this one up and I couldn't wait to dive in! Unfortunately, once I started reading it took me way too long to get through this relatively short graphic novel.

Mooncakes is a story about a witch named Nova and her friend Tam, who happens to be a werewolf and may also be more than a friend. First let me say there is so much amazing rep in this book! Nova wears hearing aids, Tam is non-binary, both are Chinese American, and they're in a relationship with each other.

I adored watching Nova and Tam learn about their magical sides and the friendship between these two was so cute, although their romance was a bit instalovey. I know that there was already history between them before the start of the book, but I wish there had been a bit more lead up to their romance.

While I did enjoy the art style and the story was fun, I did wish there had been a bit more depth to it. The plot was a bit generic and surface level and the villain was underwhelming. It definitely felt like younger YA than I expected. I did find myself a bit bored at times, but it was still a cute read. I'd definitely give it a try if you're in the mood for a cute, witchy, and diverse graphic novel!

Graphic Novel ARC Review: The Magicians: Alice's Story by Lev Grossman

Title: The Magicians: Alice's Story
Author: Lev Grossman & Lilah Sturges
Illustrator: Pius Bak
Publication Date: July 10, 2019
Publisher: Archaia
Pages: 208
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THE MAGICIANS: ALICE’S STORY is an all new chapter set in the world of The Magicians trilogy of novels by New York Times bestselling author Lev Grossman that retells the events of the first novel through fan-favorite character Alice Quinn.

Alice Quinn is manifestly brilliant, and she’s always known that magic is real. During her years at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, she rises to the top of her class, falls in love with Quentin Coldwater, and witnesses a horrifically magical creature invade their dimension.

It’s not soon after graduation when Alice, Quentin, and their friends set their sights on the idyllic setting of Fillory—a place thought to only live in the pages of their favorite children’s books—where magic flows like rivers . . . But in this magical realm nothing is what it seems and something darker lies behind the spellbinding facade. It is in the darkness where Alice will discover her true calling and her life, and those friends, forever changed.

I read The Magicians in 2017 and, although I had some mixed feelings about the characters, I really loved it. Although I did enjoy it, I was never very eager to read book two. Then, when I did want to continue the series, I realized I really didn't remember much about the story. When I saw Alice's Story was being published, I was really excited to dive into it and get a refresher and a fresh perspective!

This graphic novel is essentially The Magicians retold from Alice's perspective. Many of the major events from the book are there, but from a new point of view and with several new storylines as well. Alice was one of my favorite characters in The Magicians so it was wonderful to see her journey to Brakebills and especially the way the book wrapped up.

I can definitely say that if you haven't read The Magicians, this probably is not a story you'll enjoy. It moves along very quickly and leaves out some key elements of Brakebills and the magical system of this universe. But if you have read the source material, this is a great addition and a fun way to see what was taking place when Quentin was not around.

I loved the art of Alice's Story! Getting to see the characters and Fillory come to life was amazing and made me eager to (finally) jump into the second book of the series. If you're a fan of this series, Alice's Story will definitely be a fun read.

Graphic Novel Review: The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson & Dan Jolley

Title: The Girl Who Owned a City 
Authors: O.T. Nelson & Dan Jolley 
Illustrator: Joëlle Jones
Publication Date: April 1, 2012
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Pages: 125
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A DEADLY VIRUS KILLED EVERY ADULT ON EARTH, LEAVING ONLY US KIDS BEHIND.

My parents are gone, so I'm responsible for my little brother Todd. I have to make sure we stay alive. Many kids are sick or starving, and fierce gangs are stealing and destroying everything they find. Lots of people have given up, but here on Grand Avenue, some of us are surviving, because of me.

I figured out how to give the kids on Grand Avenue food, homes, and protection against the gangs. But Tom Logan and his army are determined to take away what we've built and rule the streets themselves. How long can we keep fighting them off? We need to find another place for us to live safely.

A strong place, a secret place.

In a world like this, someone has to take charge.

I found The Girl Who Owned a City while searching for one more book to complete this year's graphic novel challenge. I was looking for a dystopian story and this one grabbed my attention with its amazing cover! Unfortunately, what was inside wasn't as good as I'd hoped.

The Girl Who Owned a City takes place in a world that has recently lost all of its adults. The children are left behind to fend for themselves and Lisa is no different. She and her brothers are fighting to defend their home and supplies, but gangs are popping up all over and Lisa knows she has to do something to keep them safe.

Characters are really the most important part of a book for me. Although I like my books to be plot driven, the characters have to be sympathetic and relatable. Lisa is neither of those. For whatever reason she decides to take the formation of "her" city into her own hands, failing to accept input from her friends and ignoring them when they voice valid concerns. Even once she takes control of "her" city and proclaims its citizens are her responsibility, she continually throws herself into harm's way at the expense of her people. The villain of the story is also ridiculously simplistic and wishy washy.

This book is kind of a mess. I guess it's based on a 1975 young adult novel and maybe that's better, but I just could not get into the story. It's choppy and quick and nothing is explained. Lisa goes from trying to defend a street to running a city/fortress inside of a school. Things happen too quickly, which I guess may be due to the graphic novel format. Then again, I've read many graphic novels that were much better written than this.

I also hated that the epidemic itself, the one that wiped out everyone over a certain age (12, I think?) is never delved into. Why did the adults die? How did they die? Is this a worldwide epidemic or is it confined to Lisa's town/state/coast? What is even going on in this world?? As a lover of dystopian fiction, my favorite books are always the ones who build complex worlds that are at least somewhat believable as a potential future.

I didn't go into The Girl Who Owned a City with any expectations, but of course I did hope to enjoy it. Sadly, it was too rushed with characters and a world that were very much lacking in development. The art was pretty for sure, but that may be the only thing I liked about it.

Book Review: Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks

Title: Sanity & Tallulah 
Author: Molly Brooks
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 240
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//I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review//

Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega are best friends on Wilnick, the dilapidated space station they call home at the end of the galaxy. So naturally, when gifted scientist Sanity uses her lab skills and energy allowance to create a definitely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten, she has to show Tallulah. But Princess, Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds is a bit of a handful, and it isn't long before the kitten escapes to wreak havoc on the space station. The girls will have to turn Wilnick upside down to find her, but not before causing the whole place to evacuate! Can they save their home before it's too late?

Readers will be over the moon for this rollicking space adventure by debut author Molly Brooks.

When this graphic novel showed up on my doorstep, I was immediately intrigued. This middle grade science fiction adventure is adorable and the art is beautiful! Although I'm definitely not the intended audience, I had a lot of fun and read it during an afternoon read-a-thon.

Sanity and Tallulah are friends on board a space station where they live with their parents and get in all kinds of trouble together. Sanity is a scientist and, sneaking into a lab when she really shouldn't be working alone, creates an experimental kitty named Princess, Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds. The kitten also happens to have three heads and is promptly named a monster by those in charge when she escapes. Of course, the two girls take it upon themselves to find her before the people hunting her down do. I loved Sanity, Tallulah, and the three headed kitten! The girls are smart, brave, and (of course) a lot mischievous.

This story actually had quite a bit going on to be such a short graphic novel. There's adventure and mystery and it even gets a little scary (although it stays lighthearted). While Sanity and Tallulah are searching for their cat, trying to figure out what's happening within the space station, and save it, there are other adventures happening in other parts of space. I hope this is a series, because I'd definitely love to see more of what goes on in this universe!

One of my favorite things about this book was that it centered around two girls who loved the sciences and were encouraged by their scientific community to learn. I think it's so important for young girls to read about characters like this! I honestly don't recall any books I read growing up with girl scientists... I've already got this wrapped for my pre-teen niece!

Graphic Novel Reviews: Saga & Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Title: Saga, Vol. 1
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Fiona Staples 
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Image Comics
Pages: 176
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When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults. 

Saga has been on my radar for years. Is there anyone who doesn't know about this book? I wasn't sure what to expect, but I came away feeling like this was a bit too weird for me.

This is the story of two soldiers in love who run from the war together to raise their newborn baby... and it's strange. They're being hunted by multiple people and one of them seems to be a computer screen on a person's body. I don't know guys, my imagination just isn't big enough.

The main characters themselves are very likable and sympathetic. I loved them together and the lengths they went to in order to stay together with their child. The plot was fine, but there was somehow a lot of it while nothing much really happened. The main characters ran, people ran after them. Rinse and repeat. I do have to say, I didn't really get the "sexy" part of the blurb in this volume, apart from a couple nude alien creatures.

My favorite thing about Saga besides the characters was the artwork, which was stunning! Overall, this was an okay read for me. There were parts that I found interesting and I can certainly see why so many people love it, I just don't think I'll be continuing it anytime soon.

Title: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol. 1
Author: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Robert Hack 
Publication Date: August 16, 2016
Publisher: Archie Comics
Pages: 160
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On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress Sabrina Spellman finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family's past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comics' latest horror sensation starts here! For TEEN+ readers. Compiles the first six issues of the ongoing comic book series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. 

I picked up Chilling Adventures of Sabrina after watching the first episode of the show and finding it really fascinating. It's easy to see the similarities between the two, but there are definitely quite a few noticeable differences. I won't go into them, but suffice it to say I found the first volume of the comic to be quite a bit more gruesome than the first episode of the Netflix show.

Sabrina is a teenage witch who has been raised by her aunts and must make the decision whether to become a full witch, which is quite the intense process. She also has a boyfriend who she loves, even if he loves her through questionable means. I didn't really get a great feel for Sabrina and her romantic relationship, but I definitely loved her internal struggles as she tried to make a decision.

As I said before, this comic is DARK. It's definitely not what I would have expected, having been a die hard fan of Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the 90s. Madame Satan was terrifying and I can't wait to see what happens with her storyline.

I really enjoyed Sabrina a lot! It wasn't the Sabrina I know and love, but I'm definitely open to loving this one too. My main issue right now is not knowing whether to finish the comic before jumping back into the show! I definitely recommend this if you're a fan of horror or witchy comics.

 

Fraterfest 2018 Mini Reviews: The Merciless IV, Asylum, Wytches Vol. 1, & Rosemary's Baby

Title: The Merciless IV: Last Rites 
Author: Danielle Vega
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 290
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Reviews for book 1 & book 3

The fourth book of the scream-worthy cult series The Merciless combines Stephen King level terror with true crime stories like the Amanda Knox case.

The ropes tighten on Berkley Hubbard's wrists. Blood drips down her fingers and lands with a smack on the cold floor of the church basement. She's trapped, bound, and petrified by fear. A knife punctures her fragile skin as Berkley's captors search for the mark of the devil on her body. They say they want to save her--drive the devil away and cleanse her soul--but will she make it out alive?

When Berkley arrived in Italy a week ago, the last thing she expected was that she'd end up fighting for her life. After spending six months at the Institute, confined to a room with the dangerous-yet-alluring Sofia Flores, Berkley was certain that a vacation in Italy with her two best friends would be the perfect getaway. But Berkley is hiding a terrible secret, one that threatens to undo everything. As she's forced to face her wicked past, she learns that the devil is always watching, and no one is coming to save her. 

The Merciless series is one of my absolute favorite horror series with book 1 being my favorite, followed by 3, now book 4, and finally 2. These books are always good for a bit of anxiety filled horror reading, but this book was quite a bit different than the others in the series and not in a bad way.

The Merciless IV follows Berkley to Italy on a vacation with her best friends. She has recently been released from a mental institution and is just looking for a fun summer trip. Unfortunately, her "friends" think she's crazy and handle her with kid gloves. This becomes even more unfortunate when it means her friends don't believe her when she tells them things are going wrong.

This book took quite awhile to get to the horror, but I did enjoy following Berkley around Italy and her summer fling boyfriend was definitely swoon-worthy. Honestly I would read a whole book about their summer romance. There was a twist I did NOT see coming, which is exactly what I've come to expect from Vega. I know this is called Last Rites, but I really hope there are more Merciless books to come!

Title: Asylum (Afterlife Investigations #1)
Author: Ambrose Ibsen
Publication Date: June 4, 2017
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 232
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What lurks within Chaythe Asylum?

College professor Stephen Barlow needs cash. Badly. When a student asks him to head a new campus organization that centers around paranormal research, he puts his skepticism aside and signs on in the hopes of scoring a fat bonus.

Enter Chaythe Asylum—a long-shuttered and controversial institution where patients were allegedly subjected to unethical experiments. Closed in 1989 after a series of grisly murders, Stephen deems the old building as good a place as any to explore the possibility of the supernatural and arranges to take a tour with his students.

But it turns out that the asylum is not as abandoned as it seems. There is something sinister in the building. It has watched and waited for nearly three decades, and when Stephen and his students enter, they find themselves at the center of a nightmare 28 years in the making. 

While gearing up for Fraterfest I was searching for a good, scary ghost story to read and came across Asylum. It's no secret that Grave Encounters is one of my all-time favorite horror movies, so Asylum seemed right up my alley!

Stephen is the protagonist of this story. He's a college professor and a skeptic who takes on a paranormal research student club as a means to a few extra bucks. He agrees to spend an evening exploring Chaythe Asylum, which is rumored to be haunted, and finds more than he bargained for.

Although I really didn't find Asylum to be a very frightening read, the asylum setting was definitely creepy and enjoyable as a Halloween read. I didn't care much for the other characters, but Stephen was interesting and I'd be curious to see what he gets up to in future books. Since the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, I may have to pick it up soon!

Title: Wytches, Volume 1
Author: Scott Snyder 
Publication Date: June 24, 2015
Publisher: Image Comics
Pages: 192
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Everything you thought you knew about witches is wrong. They are much darker, and they are much more horrifying. Wytches takes the mythology of witches to a far creepier, bone-chilling place than readers have dared venture before. When the Rooks family moves to the remote town of Litchfield, NH to escape a haunting trauma, they're hopeful about starting over. But something evil is waiting for them in the woods just beyond town. Watching from the trees. Ancient...and hungry.

Well this was different. I don't read many comics, but when I do they're in the horror or fantasy genres. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into Wytches, but I was not disappointed!

This story is not about anything you'd ever think of related to witches. It's about a creepy small town doing creepy small town things and the evil that resides in the woods nearby. When Sailor moves to town with her family and starts behaving weirdly, her parents initially brush her off and realize too late that something very strange is happening.

The art in this graphic novel is dark and creepy and disturbing and exactly what I want in a horror story! I loved the original ideas and I'm extremely disappointed that no others were published in this series. I definitely think it's still worth the read.

Title: Rosemary's Baby
Author: Ira Levin
Publication Date: March 12, 1967
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Pages: 256
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Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, an ordinary young couple, settle into a New York City apartment, unaware that the elderly neighbors and their bizarre group of friends have taken a disturbing interest in them. But by the time Rosemary discovers the horrifying truth, it may be far too late!

For my last read of Fraterfest, I decided to run a poll between two horror classics and Rosemary's Baby won. I had absolutely no idea what this book was about having somehow remained under a rock for my entire life.

Rosemary's Baby is about Rosemary and her husband Guy who move into a fancy new apartment building despite their friend's protestations. They quickly make friends with an elderly couple next door and shortly after that Rosemary becomes pregnant with the baby she's always wanted. Things become really weird and take a dark, sinister turn.

Like I said, I had no idea what to expect with this one and I was not prepared! This was a whole different level of creepy than I'd thought it would be and I loved how different it was than most horror books. I was terrified, but for different reasons than normal. The ending was absolutely amazing! If you've never read this and are as sheltered as I was about the story, I definitely recommend picking it up this Halloween.

Graphic Novel Mini Review: ApocalyptiGirl by Andrew MacLean

Title: ApocalyptiGirl
Author: Andrew MacLean
Publication Date: June 16, 2015
Publisher: Dark Horse Originals
Pages: 96
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The premiere graphic novel from underground sensation Andrew MacLean (Head Lopper), ApocalyptiGirl is an action-packed sci-fi epic!

Alone at the end of the world, Aria is woman with a mission! Traipsing through an overgrown city with her only companion, a cat named Jelly Beans, Aria's search for an ancient relic with immeasurable power has been fruitless so far. But when a run in with a creepy savage sets her on a path to complete her quest, she'll face death head on in the hopes of claiming her prize and, if all goes according to plan, finally returning home.

I typically start my reviews with a synopsis of the book, but, to be honest, I am not entirely sure what the plot of ApocalyptiGirl actually was. The main character of Aria is on a mission to find a lost relic that will give her and her people immeasurable power. Her only companion is a cat named Jelly Beans. Aria has been navigating the desolate earth for years, avoiding various groups of people in order to keep herself alive.

When I quickly flipped through ApocalyptiGirl, I wasn't immediately drawn in by the artwork. It isn't bad by any means, but it's not a style that is very appealing to me. Ultimately, however, the art ended up being the best part of the book for me. There is so little plot in this book that it is really difficult to review.

As I said, I was very confused about the story that ApocalyptiGirl was trying to tell. There were giant holes in the plot that left me confused and wondering if I had missed something. For about the first half of the book, I was enjoying diving into the post-apocalyptic world and learning how everything worked. But when Aria's mission was introduced, I felt like a lot of information was missing. There were supposedly two main groups living in the wilderness, but we barely got to see them or learn anything about them. And then when Aria's backstory was finally revealed in the twist at the end, I was so completely confused. I still can't figure out exactly how everything tied together.

Ultimately, ApocalyptiGirl tried to accomplish too much of a story with too few pages. The plot could have been interesting and made for a fun adventure, but there were giant plot holes that were too large for the reader to fill in with their imagination. It takes a lot for me to really dislike a graphic novel, but I was very disappointed in ApocalyptiGirl.

Graphic Novel Review: Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

Title: Pashmina
Author: Nidhi Chanani
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 176
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//I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review//

Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri's mom avoids these questions--the topic of India is permanently closed.

For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she find a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? And what is that shadow lurking in the background? To learn the truth, Pri must travel farther than she's ever dared and find the family she never knew.

In this heartwarming graphic novel debut, Nidhi Chanani weaves a tale about the hardship and self-discovery that is born from juggling two cultures and two worlds.

Not too long ago I received mystery package in the mail and inside that package was Pashmina, a beautiful graphic novel about an Indian-American girl who desperately wants to know more about the country her mother is from. I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened it and I will totally admit this is not a book I would usually pick up, but I am so glad Pashmina found its way to my doorstep!

Priyanka is an incredibly relatable main character. She wants to know more about her background, especially why her mother left India, and isn't satisfied with her mom's non-answers. When she finds an old pashmina in an old suitcase, she finally has the chance to learn something of India, but in a totally gorgeous and magical way! I loved following Pri on her journey for answers about her family and herself, both through her magical pashmina and in real life.

The way this book discusses different cultures, religions, and types of families was perfect. Priyanka was forced to face the non-magical elements of her heritage and daily life in India and the author did a great job of encapsulating the emotions Priyanka felt. I also really enjoyed the different relationships Pashmina explores, especially between Pri and her aunt.

Of course, we have to talk about the art! I absolutely judge a book by its cover and I also judge a graphic novel by its art style. There are some I won't touch with a ten foot pole, but Pashmina was absolutely gorgeous! There was a distinct difference between the real world and the magical world of the pashmina and both had their own merits. I loved the way the art made the story come to life.

There were times I found myself a little bored with Pashmina, but overall I thought it was a very well-written coming of age story. This is definitely a book I would buy for my ten-year-old niece. In fact, I just added it to my Christmas shopping list (but don't tell her)! 

Graphic Novel Review: Fresh Romance, Vol. 1

Title: Fresh Romance, Vol. 1
Authors & Illustrators: Sarah Kuhn, Kate Leth, Sarah Vaughn, Marguerite Bennet, Kieron Gillen, Arielle Jovellanos, Sarah Winifred Searle, Sally Jane Thompson, Trungles, Christine Norrie
Publication Date: August 3, 2016
Publisher: Oni Press
Pages: 224
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The critically-acclaimed anthology FRESH ROMANCE is finally available in print! Have you been wondering what the fuss is all about? FRESH ROMANCE is an exciting collection of romance comics from some of comics most talented creators, including Kate Leth, Arielle Jovellanos, Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle, Sarah Kuhn, Marguerite Bennett, and Trungles. From unhappy historical marriages to covert teenage romances, there's something for everyone in FRESH ROMANCE. 

I picked up Fresh Romance in early 2016 and had every intention of reading it. Instead it sat on my shelf for over a year and I am just now getting around to picking it up. I didn't realize when I brought this home that it was an anthology of short graphic novels ranging in genre from paranormal to historical fiction. My main takeaway from this anthology is that the stories are entirely too short. I was interested in most of them, but they were SO short that it was really hard to feel like I'd enjoyed them fully. Something I really did appreciate though was how diverse most of them were. Here are my thoughts on each of the four (five?) stories included:

SCHOOL SPIRIT
This story was cute once I got my bearings. I felt a bit thrown into things, but as I understood what was really going on I really enjoyed the romance and the paranormal elements I totally wasn't expecting. School Spirit is the most diverse out of all of these stories and, while it was hard reading about the reactions to Justine and Malie's relationship, I loved them together! Sadly, this story really had no resolution. School Spirit feels like there SHOULD be something more to it - more volumes - but I can't find them. Overall a sweet story but annoyingly unresolved. (3 stars)

RUINED
Completely switching gears, Ruined is about a woman named Catherine, her mysterious backstory with an unknown lover (I'm assuming this is where she was "ruined"? *cringes*), and her arranged marriage to a man named Andrew. I actually really enjoyed this story a lot, but I wish I could find the rest of it! Ruined ends with "to be continued..." and is titled "Volume One," but it seems like there haven't been any additional volumes published and the author has fallen off the map. (4 stars)

THE RUBY EQUATION
This story was a little too weird and fast for me. It's about a girl named Ruby who is from some other unspecified world and her mission is to make people fall in love in a coffee shop for reasons. This one just really wasn't for me. Ruby was okay, but the speed with which she changed her outlook and the lack of explanation given for anything really just didn't do it. (2 stars)

BEAUTIES
Beauties was another really, really weird story. It's apparently a Beauty and the Beast retelling in which Beauty's father is a prince with two other daughters. The Beast is made the family pet and Beauty falls in love with him for (again) reasons. This story was incredibly short and definitely could have stood to be a bit longer to fill in some (any) details. (2 stars)

FIRST, LAST, AND ALWAYS
Honestly, I don't even know what this is. I tried really hard to understand the point. I mean... at least the art was pretty. (1 star)

While I didn't love every story, this anthology had SO much potential! Unfortunately it seems like it has been abandoned and the one story that ended with "to be continued" will go unresolved. After reading I checked out the website advertised in the back of the book ("Can't wait for more Fresh Romance? Head over to rosypress.com...") only to find that there's absolutely nothing there except a link to an old Kickstarter. Keep in mind, this anthology was published in 2016. I feel fortunate to have gotten a copy for free. If I'd paid for it I would've been pretty irritated.

My rating for Fresh Romance was originally 2.5 stars, but I'm taking off a star because the story that ended on a cliffhanger (the only one I really, really enjoyed) has no next volume and the rest of the stories are so unresolved. I've read quite a few graphic novels over the years and I've never felt quite this irritated over the distinct lack of endings. I definitely can't recommend seeking this one out.

Graphic Novel Mini Review: Afar by Leila del Duca

Title: Afar
Author: Leila del Duca
Illustrator: Kit Seaton
Publication Date: March 29, 2017
Publisher: Image Comics
Pages: 152
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//I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review//

Boetema suddenly develops the ability to astrally project to other worlds, unintentionally possessing the bodies of people light years away.

Inotu, her inquisitive brother with a pension for trouble, finds himself on the run after he’s caught eavesdropping on an illegal business deal between small town business tycoons and their cyborg bodyguard. When Boetema accidentally gets someone hurt while in another girl’s body, the siblings are forced to work together to solve the problems they’ve created on their planet and others.

I don't read many graphic novels, but when I do I'll totally admit I pick them based on art. Afar caught my eye with its beautiful cover and upon flipping through the pages I knew I had to read it! I hadn't actually read the synopsis before I took Afar home (like I said, I choose based on art), so I was a little surprised when I realized it was about a girl who is able to astrally project during sleep. This is such a unique premise!

Boetema is the heroine of this story and, while her astral projection is a big part of the book, it isn't the only major plot point. Boetema's brother lands himself in trouble while their parents are away and they set out to find somewhere new to start over. They decide to set off through the desert in search of a city of riches where they can find work for themselves and live comfortably. Its during this journey that Boetema learns to control her ability.

Afar has a lot of things going for it! The art is obviously gorgeous and I thought the premise was fantastic! I love the creatures and the different worlds Boetema visits! She and her brother are also really great characters with a lot of depth for such a short book. Unfortunately, there are also some downfalls.

One issue with Afar is that it jumps around in an extremely jarring way. On one page it could be daytime in Boetema's world and then on the next page she's somewhere new in a new body with no explanation. There are multiple unexplained time jumps and I just found it somewhat difficult to keep up with what was happening at times.

My main complaint with this book is that it tries to be too much with too few pages. There were multiple conflicts that needed resolving and I didn't feel like they were wrapped up very well. Some questions were left entirely unanswered.

Overall I enjoyed Afar! While it definitely had its high and low points, it was a great story with fantastic, diverse characters and beautiful art. With 50 more pages it could've been great! Although this book didn't make my favorites list, I'd still recommend it to YA graphic novel lovers!

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Graphic Novel Sampler Review: First Second Fall 2017

I received the First Second Sampler in the Fall Fierce Reads box and, I'll admit, I wasn't quite sure how to review it. How exactly does one review samples of multiple graphic novels? But I'll do my best to tell you about this cute little sampler and the content inside!

There are fifteen separate samplers inside this little book and SO many of them drew me right in! The art varies wildly, as does the content, but there are definitely a few that I'm interested to know more about. Here are my more complete thoughts on some of the stand-out stories I can't wait to get my hands on:

Title: The Dam Keeper
Authors: Robert Kondo & Dice Tsutsumi
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
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Life in Sunrise Valley is tranquil, but beyond its borders lies certain death. A dangerous black fog looms outside the village, but its inhabitants are kept safe by an ingenious machine known as the dam. Pig’s father built the dam and taught him how to maintain it. And then this brilliant inventor did the unthinkable: he walked into the fog and was never seen again.

Now Pig is the dam keeper. Except for his best friend, Fox, and the town bully, Hippo, few are aware of his tireless efforts. But a new threat is on the horizon—a tidal wave of black fog is descending on Sunrise Valley. Now Pig, Fox, and Hippo must face the greatest danger imaginable: the world on the other side of the dam.

Based on the Oscar-nominated animated short film of the same name, The Dam Keeper is a lush, vibrantly drawn graphic novel by Tonko House cofounders Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi.

This is the first sample in this book and the art completely blew me away! It has the same feeling as a few indie horror video games and is actually described as a "spooky story." Even though it's marketed to ages 7 and up, this is one I'm definitely going to have to get my hands on!

Title: Cici's Journal: The Adventures of a Writer-In-Training
Author & Illustrator:  Joris Chamblain, Aurélie Neyret
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
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Cici dreams of being a novelist. Her favorite subject: people, especially adults. She’s been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what’s hiding inside them. But now she’s discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back?

In a graphic novel interwoven with journal notes, scrapbook pieces, and doodles, Cici assembles clues about the odd and wonderful people she’s uncovered, even as she struggles to understand the mundane: her family and friends.

Cici's Journal was another that completely pulled me in with its gorgeous art - that cover does NOT do it justice! From the small sample I read, this is a really unique story about an old man who paints gorgeous animal murals in the forest. I know there must be a lot more to this story and I'd really love to find out what it is!

Title: Mighty Jack and the Goblin King
Author: Ben Hatke
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
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In the thrilling conclusion of Mighty Jack - desperate to rescue Maddy, who has been kidnapped by an ogre, Jack and Lilly travel through vines and stalk into a world where giants grind the bones of human children to feed their "beast," while a fearsome goblin king rules the sewers down below. 

So apparently this is part two in a series, which I totally didn't realize while I was reading it. I am a SUCKER for gorgeous art, in case you hadn't figured that out, and this sample had one illustration in particular that made me definitely want to know more about this story and this world. I may be picking up part one of this soon!

Title: Castle in the Stars: The Space Race of 1869
Author: Alex Alice
Publication Date: September 12, 2017
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This one is Jules Verne meets Miyazaki. It’s the space race in 1869 in a kind of alternate past. … When you see the book itself, it’s this big, oversized object with this incredible watercolor comics style, and it’s this really big, epic, sweeping story of a boy following in his mother’s discovery and then opening up the solar system, but in the age of the 1800s. It’s got a kind of steampunk but also a kind of young, classic children’s story feel to it.

The last one I'll talk about is Castle in the Stars. While the beautiful, intricate art definitely drew me in,  I was incredibly intrigued by the story! This is about a young boy named Seraphin whose mother has disappeared. He has an obsession with space travel via hot air balloon (?) and is determined to find his mother again when a letter comes from a stranger promising a mysterious task. I'm definitely curious to see what the task is!

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ADDITIONAL STORIES IN THIS SAMPLER

Recess Warriors 2

Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom

Pelé: The King of Soccer

Robots & Repeats

Science Comics: Dogs

Cast No Shadow

Pashmina

Spinning

Demon, Volume 4

Head Games

The Hunting Accident

This gorgeous sampler really has something for everyone! There were stories ranging from middle grade contemporary to adult true crime and everything in between. I had never heard of this graphic novel publisher before this sampler, but I definitely will be keeping an eye on their books in the future!