Tag: graphic novel

Book Review: White Sand Graphic Novels (Vol. 1 – 3) by Brandon Sanderson

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Graphic Novel
Length: 460 pages (total)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A brand new saga of magic and adventure by #1 New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson.

On the planet of Taldain, the legendary Sand Masters harness arcane powers to manipulate sand in spectacular ways. But when they are slaughtered in a sinister conspiracy, the weakest of their number, Kenton, believes himself to be the only survivor. With enemies closing in on all sides, Kenton forges an unlikely partnership with Khriss — a mysterious Darksider who hides secrets of her own.

White Sand brings to life a crucial, unpublished part of Brandon Sanderson’s sprawling Cosmere universe. The story has been adapted by Rik Hoskin (Mercy Thompson), with art by Julius Gopez and colors by Ross Campbell. Employing powerful imagery and Sanderson’s celebrated approach to magical systems, White Sand is a spectacular new saga for lovers of fantasy and adventure.

I LIKED THEM.

This is a non spoiler review of the series as a whole.

I’m on a quest to read all of Sanderson’s back list/less common books and it was time to read his graphic novels! I thought the sand magic system was super cool and the inklings of the world building aspects were great too. In a graphic novel system it doesn’t have the same big style that Sanderson’s novels typical has, but I understood the framework enough to still like them.

The characters were pretty interesting too. Occasionally a bit jilted in conversations and such, but there was some good arcs and people I enjoyed seeing. I tend to think of always needing something more from a short book and that was basically the case here. The plot was good, kept me mostly engaged and I did read all of these in an evening so that’s something.

Not upset I read them, but also not a priority type of read either.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Graphic Novels
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high (and graphically depicted with blood)
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mass loss of life, loss of loved ones, assassination attempts, murder, physical and magical altercations, creature attacks and hunting

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Graphic Novel Book Review: Gone Rogue (Wires and Nerve #2) by Marissa Meyer

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy/Sci-fi Graphic Novel
Length: 324 pages
Author: Marissa Meyer [Illustrators: Stephen Gilpin and Douglas Holgate]
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends
Release Date: January 30th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Iko – an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder – has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming.

LOVED THIS.

This was such a great conclusion y’all. I loved the artwork, the story, the characters. Ah, it was nice spending a bit of time back in this world.

I adored the addition of the new characters and getting to understand Iko’s humanity. I love her personality and sass. And just how incredibly great of a person she really is. Kinney and Iko definitely have that spark between them and it was precious seeing their friendship grow.

Smitten with all my fav characters all over again. BUT HELLO, where was my Cinder and Kai wedding? Honestly, only thing missing [Scarlet and Wolf were pretty dang cute though]. These are a must read if you love the original books. These are engaging and action-packed and I feel actually add to the original story. There’s a chance to see an in-depth look at what Luna and Earth are like post Levana.

Short and sweet (just the way graphic novels are). The plot is dynamite, Iko is the perfect main character for this volume and you get to see all of your old friends again, what’s not to love?

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy sci-fi graphic novel
  • Language: none
  • Romance: a few kisses
  • Violence: swords, physical (not depicted in an overly gory/bloody way)

Instagram || Goodreads

Graphic Novel Book Review: Wires and Nerves (Wires and Nerves #1) by Marissa Meyer

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult fantasy graphic novel
Length: 238 pages
Author: Marissa Meyer [Illustrators: Douglas Holgate & Stephen Gilpin]
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends
Release Date: January 31st, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers’ leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the series.

LOVED THIS CONTINUATION.

Yay for my library having this book because I have been looking for a chance to continue this series! What beautiful artwork and well put together graphics. Definitely easy enough to read in one sitting and feel wrapped back up in The Lunar Chronicles.

I loved the way everyone was portrayed and that this story focused on Iko. I think she totally deserves her own book and doing it as an illustrated book was such a great idea. I love her personality and love for her friends. Iko is funny, witty, and incredibly loyal. She’s an easy heroine to love and cheer on.

Getting to see the cast of TLC again was also fantastic. I love that series and getting to have them also in this book was perfect. Those couples are just precious and I could always use more of them. Seeing Cinder as Queen and working towards a better future of Lunar was impressive. This book worked on multiple levels, tackling the story from many different pieces.

This is a cute and fun read. Highly recommend if you enjoyed the original novels to check out this book!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Graphic Novel
  • Language: none
  • Romance: a few kisses
  • Violence: werewolf/hybrid solider attacks, guns, physical

Instagram || Goodreads

Graphic Novel Book Review: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult contemporary romance
Length: 209 pages
Author: Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: August 27th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

SHORT AND SWEET.

This was my very first graphic novel! I lucked out with a great choice and it was really easy to read on my Kindle Fire. I had borrowed it from my library and love the way it worked digitally.

I thought this story was super cute. I flew through it in truly less than an hour (definitely a downfall of graphic novels). I wish it was so much longer!

For the length I thought the development of characters and plot were pretty solid. I was immediately caught into their world and following them around the pumpkin patch. It was easy to be immersed in all things fall.

The plot is really simple and I think it’s a great starting point for anyone interested in trying out a graphic novel. The romance was precious and I was waiting for them to get together. It was also about finding who you want to be and about the power of a good friendship.

The illustrations were beautiful and the colors brought everything to life. It’s a warm, feel-good story that made me happy to read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult graphic novel
  • Language: none
  • Romance: a kiss

Instagram || Goodreads