graphic novel

Graphic Novel Review: Boxers & Saints

Posted by

0

BoxersSaints
Boxers by Gene Luen Yang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was enthralled by this first graphic novel in the duet! It’s incredible how, despite the violent and serious nature of the story, there is still humor and friendship and family. All the good things of life are entwined with the horrifying circumstances of the Boxer Rebellion.

Little Bao is an ordinary youngest son being picked on by his older brothers, but when his father is beaten by “foreign devils” and his village is cheated by the Christian Chinese, little Bao learns to fight and begins a journey seeking for justice and revenge.

With the help of the magical Chinese gods and heroes of the past, Little Bao and his brothers raise an army to protect the country villages, but circumstances push them to Continue reading →

Comic Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow

Posted by

0

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow, Part 1
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Smoke and Shadow, Part 1 by Gene Luen Yang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m loving the continuing story of Team Avatar in these graphic novels! In this one, there is political unrest in the Fire Nation as a band of traitorous rebels try to put the evil Ozai back on the throne. Zuko must fight to protect his newly-found family, but there are spies and enemies around every corner, and Zuko will have to call on Avatar Aang to help.

I love the artwork, and you can really feel the action moving the story forward. It’s easy to imagine it playing in your head like a movie, because the dialogue and facial expressions and fight scenes all flow so well. Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Laddertop

Posted by

0

Laddertop, Volume 1
Laddertop, Volume 1 by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Robbi and Azure are chosen from among their classmates to train for Laddertop Academy, a space station that hires gifted children to do maintenance work in the miles of tiny service tunnels. Laddertop space station was a gift from an alien race, but the aliens disappeared soon after. When Robbi begins her training, she finds out that Laddertop holds mysteries and enigmas that could destroy Earth or save it.

Robbi and Azure are excellent characters, with Azure providing some humor and Robbi being the serious-minded protagonist.
I really liked the interaction between all the children in training. They poke fun at each other, make friends and sometimes enemies, but it’s never boring!

The world building is very intriguing! The Laddertop space station is set up in such a unique way, and the humans who run it don’t really understand what it is capable of. I’m dying to know what those aliens are up to, and what role Robbi will play in their plans!

I really need to get my hands on the 2nd volume!

View all my reviews

Avatar Last Airbender Book Tag

Posted by

0

 

Clockwork Reader Original Tag: https://youtu.be/YpEvXo91K-I
Questions:
Water
1. Katara and Sokka: Best sibling relationship
2. Yue: Favorite star crossed lovers
3. Blood Bending: A book with a disturbing/unsettling concept Continue reading →

Comic Review: Prince of Persia

Posted by

0

Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia by Jordan Mechner

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This plot makes no sense. I have no idea who anyone is or what happened. The story is told by jumping between two (or three?) timelines, so there are all these different sets of characters, most of whom look alike, and it’s impossible to keep track of them all. There’s also a prophecy and a magic peacock dude that confused me even more. Then there came the giant sand babies; I’m not sure if they were real or imagined. Was that part of a giant sand baby nightmare? Did someone dream that whole thing, or were the babies really there? IDK.

I’m confused if the Prince was reincarnated as the other crazy dude in the ruins, or was that his long-lost son or something? And why did the girl have one blue eye and one brown eye exactly like the lion cub? Is she a mystical lion baby? How is that connected? What is happening here? This makes NO sense at all! Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: The Merchant of Death

Posted by

0

The Merchant of Death Graphic Novel
The Merchant of Death Graphic Novel by D.J. MacHale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this graphic novel of one of my favorite books! Revisiting the first book in the series in a different format was wonderful! Bobby is still as hilarious and goofy as ever, Press is mysterious and wise, and Loor is all anger and sass.

Bobby Pendragon gets whisked away to another universe by his mysterious Uncle Press, and with the help of other Travelers, tries to help a tribe of poor miners start a revolution or find justice through peace. But the evil Saint Dane is determined to push the war in his own favor, and destroy the world of Denduron. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation

Posted by

0

Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation
Gunnerkrigg Court, Vol. 1: Orientation by Thomas Siddell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of Antimony, a young girl at a mysterious boarding school, who meets robots, forest spirits, mechanical birds, and some very strange classmates. With her friend, Kat, for backup, Antimony follows her curiosity, gets involved in some wild adventures, and stirs up strife between the technologically-advanced school and the forest spirits. And she somehow finds time to explore the library, and do her homework. Continue reading →

Manga Series Review: Dictatorial Grimoire

Posted by

0

Dictatorial Grimoire: CinderellaDictatorial Grimoire: Snow WhiteDictatorial Grimoire: Red Riding Hood

 

 

 

 

Here are my reviews of the three volumes in the Dictatorial Grimoire  by Ayumi Kanou! Scroll down to see all three reviews!

Dictatorial Grimoire: Cinderella
Dictatorial Grimoire: Cinderella by Ayumi Kanou

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Otogi, a descendant of the Grimm Brothers, has to battle his ancestors’ fairy tale characters, and trap them inside an ancient magical book before they destroy him. But the dark truth about the deal the Grimm brothers made to write the stories isn’t the only mystery Otogi will need to unravel if he is to discover who he can trust and who is determined to kill him.

I liked the premise of this story, and I love fairy tale retellings! As each of the fairy tale characters appear, I was interested to see what they would be like, but was disappointed Continue reading →