My Book Reviews

Category: Graphic Novel

  • Heartless Prince by Angela De Vito , Leigh Dragoon

    Heartless Prince by Angela De Vito , Leigh Dragoon

    Heartless Prince

    Heartless Prince by Angela De Vito , Leigh Dragoon

    Release: November 2, 2021
    Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
    Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
    Source: Rockstar Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

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    A fierce warrior must save the heart of her beloved prince before it’s too late in the first book of a new YA fantasy-adventure graphic novel trilogy, perfect for fans of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet

    Evony is an orphaned princess from a kingdom destroyed by a power-hungry witch. Prince Ammon has recently been drawn to her, or at least he’s drawn to her uncanny ability to sense when familiars—servants to the witches—are approaching his kingdom’s borders. And Evony, well Evony has always longed for something more with Ammon. Wanting to prove himself to his kingdom and parents, Ammon takes Evony outside the borders to fight the familiars head-to-head.

    All is well until they’re captured by witch Aradia, who steals Ammon’s heart and leaves his body to turn into one of her familiars. What’s worse, his sister Nissa has been taken hostage by Aradia’s daughter. Evony makes it her miss onto retrieve Ammon’s heart and save Nissa, taking her into the mysterious Witchlands. There, she will discover a secret about her past that will change everything.

    About the Authors:

    LEIGH DRAGOON was raised in a log cabin in the Adirondacks, where she developed an early love of reading and writing. She became a fan of Little Women at age nine, after Beth’s demise made her bawl herself to sleep. This led to a lifelong appreciation of the book. After years of annual rereads, she became fascinated with learning about Louisa May and her family. She adapted both Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy and Marie Lu’s Legend series into graphic novel scripts. She has also written two prose Adventure Time novels: Queen of Rogues and The Lonesome Outlaw.

    Website  |  Twitter  | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub

    ANGELA DE VITO is a freelance animator, storyboard artist, and character designer working in NYC. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Animation in 2014. Since then she has worked on animation for commercials and series pitches. Angela has worked for such studios as Hornet, Inc.; Titmouse, Inc.; Aardman Nathan Love; Click 3X; CHRLX; and Disney Digital Network. She also animation directed Comedy Central Digital’s Loafy, created by Bobby Moynihan. She lives with her family and her two adorable, rambunctious cats.
    Website  | Facebook  | Twitter  | Instagram | Goodreads

    Heartless Prince Review:

    “Heartless Prince” is a beautiful, magical tale!

    I’ll be honest, when I started reading this book, I thought it was a little bumpy. The author dives right into the plot, and it took time for me to understand what was happening. However, I could not put it down once I invested in the storyline, particularly when Aradia’s Witch enters the picture. The story is on fire, especially when Evony has to find Nissa.

    Evony is perfect in the role. On the one hand, she is adorable and naive for showing her emotions upfront, but on the other hand, she has a powerful force to sense the familiars. There were some sweet moments, like how she has a crush on Ammon. Similarly, Nissa was also one of my favorites, and I loved her spunk and attitude.

    Moreover, the book has many thrilling moments, like when they go through the forest to sense the Familiars or when she meets the Guard. Some scenes also shocked me, like the attack on Paul when the Familiars attack the barrier.

    The creators also did a beautiful job in executing the story. The plot is gripping from the get-go, and I was wondering how it would turn out. Right from the beginning, I questioned why the Familiars were after Evony. Similarly, the illustrations are also lovely, and I particularly love the expressions of the characters. I feel Lady Nissa made the story adorable because of her gestures and expressions. Even the way they draw the backdrop of Gallea is gorgeous.

    The story leads to an exciting climax as well as a shocking cliffhanger. Overall, “Heartless Prince” was a gorgeous fantasy graphic novel, and I am excited to read its continuation.

    Giveaway Details:

    3 winners will win a finished copy of HEARTLESS PRINCE, US Only.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Heartless Prince

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Heartless Prince by Angela De Vito , Leigh Dragoon Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Week One:
    For the Love of KidLit-Excerpt-11-1/-2021
    BookHounds YA-Excerpt-11-2-2021
    Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-11-3-2021
    Book-Keeping-Review-11-4-2021
    Books Are Magic Too-Review-11-5-2021
    Nerdophiles -Review-11-6-2021

    Week Two:
    ZaineyLaney -Review-11-7-2021
    The book review crew-Review-11-8-2021
    History from a Woman’s Perspective -Review-11-9-2021
    A Backwards Story -Review-11-10-2021
    celiamcmahonreads-Review-11-11-2021
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-11-12-2021
    More Books Please blog-Review-11-13-2021

    Week Three:
    A Bookish Dream -Review-11-14-2021
    @more.books.yes.please-Review-11-15-2021
    lexijavabookish-Review-11-16-2021
    Once Upon a Twilight -Review-11-17-2021
    A Court of Coffee and Books-Review-11-18-2021
    Don’t Judge, Read-Review-11-19-2021
    Bri’s Book Nook -Review-11-20-2021

    Week Four:
    @momfluenster-Review-11-21-2021
    The Momma Spot-Review-11-22-2021
    Emelie’s Books-Review-11-23-2021
    Nonbinary Knight Reads-Review-11-24-2021
    The Bookwyrm’s Den-Review-11-25-2021
    Eli to the nth-Review-11-26-2021
    Lifestyle of Me-Review-11-27-2021

    Week Five:
    Two Points of Interest-Review-11-28-2021
    onemused-Review-11-29-2021
    popthebutterfly-Review-11-30-2021

  • Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo , Jason Patterson

    Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo , Jason Patterson

    Barb the Last Berzerker

    Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo , Jason Patterson

    Release: September 28, 2021
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
    Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Book Depository , IndieBound ,  Indigo

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    She-Ra and the Princesses of Power meets Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man in this sidesplitting graphic novel about a young Berzerker who has to rescue her fellow warriors from the evil villain Witch Head before he destroys the world!

    Barb is a Berzerker, one of a group of warriors sworn to protect the land of Bailiwick from the scourge of monsters that plagues it. But the fearsome crew seem to have met their match in the nefarious Witch Head. Using power from his magical sword, he tricked the Zerks and took them captive. Only Barb was able to escape—and she took Witch Head’s Shadow Blade with her.

    Now it’s up to Barb to free her fellow warriors so they can stop Witch Head from taking over Bailiwick. On the way, she’ll battle vampire goat fiends, snot goblins, and a giant with serious foot odor issues (but don’t mention that to him—he’s very sensitive about it). Luckily, she’s got her best friend, Porkchop the yeti, to help her.

    But the power of the Shadow Blade has a mind of its own, and the deeper Barb gets into her quest, the harder it is to keep the blade’s awesome power under control.

    About the Author:

    Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson are long-time partners, best friends and co-creators of the animated comedy series Rocket Monkeys.

    Their credits also include developing shows for Disney, Sesame Workshop, Fox, and Nickelodeon, not to mention directing lots and lots of animated commercials!

    Website | Instagram | Tumblr | Facebook

    Barb the Last Berzerker Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    I loved reading “Barb the Last Berzerker.” The story is adventurous, cute, funny, and thrilling at the same time.

    I can easily see this becoming a hit animated TV series on Netflix. There is so much that Barb goes through to save the other Berzerkers. Barb is awesome! Although she is small in size, her bravery and confidence shine in the tale. I loved her adventures with her adorable sidekick Porkchop, whether they go to find berries at the Bear Beast cave or step onto the Razor Beak Ridge. It was also lovely to see how the two became friends in the flashbacks. Similarly, the tale’s villain, Witch Head, is also so deliciously evil and keeps the story exciting by the numerous ways to retrieve the Sword.

    Moreover, the story is so creative in terms of world-building. I loved reading about mer-goblins, shadow bats, snot goblins, and much more. One of my favorite moments is when Barb encounters the Grom and has to fight it. Another magical moment is the scenes that Barb shares with her mother. I loved how the book made me go through various emotions.

    Also, the creators blended the story and characters beautifully with eye-catching illustrations. The graphics are vibrant yet straightforward that will make you appreciate the comic. I also laughed out loud at many moments, like when the monsters referred to Barb as Brenda. Moreover, the story ends in a shocking cliffhanger that makes you want to immediately pick up the next book and find out what happened.

    Overall, “Barb the Last Berzerker” is a brilliant graphic novel filled with humor, action, and adventure, memorable lead characters. I loved reading every minute of the story.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Barb the Last Berzerker

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo , Jason Patterson Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.

     

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  •  Squirrel Do Bad by Stephan Pastis

     Squirrel Do Bad by Stephan Pastis

     Squirrel Do Bad

     Squirrel Do Bad (Trubble Town #1) by Stephan Pastis

    Release: August 31, 2021
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Aladdin
    Source: Rockstar Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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    From the author of the “Pearls Before Swine” comic strip and New York Times bestselling Timmy Failure series comes a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming, full-color graphic novel series about a quirky town—just right for young readers starting to read longer books!

    Wendy the Wanderer has lived in Trubble Town her whole life but never had the chance to go exploring. For this reason, she thinks she was definitely misnamed. Her dad likes to know where she is to make sure she’s safe, so she’s never been anywhere on her own. Then, her dad leaves on a trip and the babysitter doesn’t reinforce all the usual rules. Or any of the usual rules! Suddenly, Wendy is free to do what she wants, and what she wants is to live up to her name…and find Trubble.

    Turns out, there’s lots going on in Trubble Town. As she encounters endearingly goofy animals and hilariously hapless townsfolk, Wendy’s very first adventure takes more twists and turns than she could have ever expected. She learns some really valuable life lessons and even teaches a few of her own.

    About the Author:

    STEPHAN PASTIS is an attorney turned cartoonist. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and the UCLA School of Law, he worked as a lawyer before trying his hand at cartooning. Pastis lives in the Bay Area, with his wife and two children.

     

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

     Squirrel Do Bad Review:

    This book was undoubtedly one of the unique graphic novels I have read. The story consists of multiple characters facing random situations which are weirdly connected. Each storyline is goofy, hilarious, and just downright silly. Hence, if you are looking for a story with a consistent plot with a strong storyline and morals, you might be disappointed. However, if you want a lighthearted tale where you don’t have to think much and enjoy the illustrations with an intricate zany plot, then this is your book. I still found it cute and quirky, as it is so different from what I usually read.

    I particularly liked the tale revolving around Squirrely McSquirrel and his adventures. Some of the characters are hilarious, like the moles, whereas some were despicable, like Crotchety Craig and the Sheriff. I also like some moments the author adds about the Butterfly effect and the romance between the cat and dog. Surprisingly, moments in the story felt close to reality, like when people turn into a mob when they believe anything. The book has a lot going on, even if it seems directionless at times. Moreover, the illustrations are adorable and something that would appeal to a reader of any age group.

    However, I did find it a challenge to initially pace myself with the story. Originally, when I started reading the book, I had to keep track of what was happening because many things take place. But, after a few chapters, you realize to go with the flow because a few things don’t make sense. Nevertheless, “Squirrel Do Bad” is a quirky graphic novel that’s nice to pick up if you are in the mood for something different.

    Giveaway:

    3 winners will receive a finished copy of SQUIRREL DO BAD, US ONLY.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

     Squirrel Do Bad

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the  Squirrel Do Bad (Trubble Town #1) by Stephan Pastis Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Week One:
    Don’t Judge, Read-Review-8-30-2021
    BookHounds YA-Excerpt-8-30-2021
    @curlygrannylovestoread-Review-8-31-2021
    Little Red Readz-Review-8-31-2021
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-9-1-2021
    Unconventional Quirky Bibliophile-Review-9-1-2021
    Pickagoodbook-Review-9-2-2021
    onemused-Review-9-2-2021
    A Gingerly Review-Excerpt-9-3-2021
    Jazzy Book Reviews-Review-9-3-2021

    Week Two:
    @fictitious.fox-Review-9-6-2021
    Fyrekatz Blog-Review-9-6-2021
    Adrianna.reads-Review-9-7-2021
    Feed Your Fiction Addiction-Review-9-7-2021
    booksaremagictoo-Review-9-8-2021
    Books a Plenty Book Reviews-Review-9-8-2021
    #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog-Excerpt-9-9-2021
    The Momma Spot-Review-9-9-2021
    Locks, Hooks and Books-Review-9-10-2021
    Two Points of Interest-Review-9-10-2021

  • Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker

    Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker

    Destroy All Monsters:

    Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker

    Release: October 19th 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Image Comics
    Source: Amazon
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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    The next book in the red-hot Reckless series is here!

    “Oh man, this book pushed every crime fiction button for me… Bliss.”
    – Patton Oswalt

    Bestselling crime noir masters Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips bring us a new original graphic novel starring troublemaker-for-hire Ethan Reckless.

    It’s 1988 and Ethan is in charge of  his strangest case yet: finding the secrets of a Los Angeles real estate mogul. How hard could that be, right? Only what starts as a deep dive into the life of a stranger will soon take a deadly turn, and find Ethan risking everything that still matters to him.

    Another smash hit from the award-winning creators of RECKLESS, PULP, MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES, CRIMINAL, — and a must-have for all Brubaker and Phillips fans!

    About the Author:

    Ed Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. His birth was at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.

    Brubaker is one of the best  comic book writers with such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet . Marvel’s movies featuring his co-creation, The Winter Soldier, became international blockbusters.

    Ed lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their crazy dog, where he works in comics, film, and television. Besides, he was a writer and Supervising Producer for the first season of HBO’s WESTWORLD, and is the co-creator and co-writer of TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG with Nicolas Winding Refn.

    Website | Amazon | Goodreads

    Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book Review:

    “Destroy All Monsters” is the first book I read of the series, but it was terrific, and I could not put it down.

    I have not read the Reckless series’s previous two books, but I had no trouble following this. The highlight of the story is in the two leads. The relationship that Ethan and Anna’s share is lovely. Their relationship is one that I found hard to categorize because it was not romantic or paternal. It was a blend between the two, but the author wrote it nicely. Ethan feels protective over Anna and wants only the best for her, even when she dates someone as annoying as Dmitri.

    Moreover, I enjoyed how the creators paced the story. I could not put the graphic novel down in the second half, especially when the duo track Runyan and try to bring him down. Some of the scenes were intense, and I wondered how they would get through the situation. There are some surprising twists and turns that I did not expect that added to the intensity of the storyline.

    Moreover, the illustrations are excellent and give a vintage feel as you read the story. The character’s expressions are raw and gripping and make you feel like watching a classic retro action movie.

    The only aspect I was not keen on was the side story with the Case of the Dirty Diapers. While I understand the reasoning behind the story, I felt it was unnecessary and staggered from the plot. Instead, it would have been nice if we had a background history between Ethan and Anna individually.

    Overall, I enjoyed reading “Destroy All Monsters,” and I cannot wait for the continuation to see what happens to Anna.

     

  • The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner

    The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner

    The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow

    The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow (The Okay Witch #2) by Emma Steinkellner

    Release: July 6, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Aladdin
    Source: Rockstar Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org.

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    In this hilarious sequel to The Okay Witch’s graphic novel, half-witch Moth Hush uses magic to boost her confidence with disastrous results.

    Moth Hush is starting to settle into her newfound witch heritage and powers, but life at school continues to be rough. Moth and her best friend Charlie have had such a good winter break that they don’t want to go back to school, but Moth’s mother won’t let her stay home.

    Pike, who is descended from the founders of their town, is an enormous jerk and is relentless in his bullying of Moth. The other kids play along, although Moth hears a few girls who seem sympathetic to her. When she travels to Hecate for a celebration, she sees Peter and finds an amulet called a nyklum. It is supposed to absorb Moth’s traits from other people and transfer those things to Moth. She uses it when she goes back to school and can stand up to Pike.

    Her mother is dating her English teacher, Mr. Gorski-Garcia, and the other students have given her a hard time about this, but wearing the nyklum gives Moth the self-confidence she needs to stop hiding. She is nominated for Founderella, a time-honored position at a local festival. She wants to keep using the amulet until after the winner is announced, but there is a catch. Will Moth be able to withstand the forces of evil with her limited magic and find a way to get through middle school? What could go wrong?

    About the Author:

    Emma Steinkellner is an illustrator, writer, and cartoonist living in Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of Stanford University and the illustrator of the Eisner-nominated comic Quince. She is the author and illustrator of The Okay Witch graphic novel series.

     

    Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

    The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow Review:

    I loved this book so much! Even though I have not read the previous book, “The Okay Witch,” I had no trouble catching up, thanks to Mr. Laszlo, who gives us a recap.

    Firstly, I adored the storyline and thought it was superb! As someone bullied in school and found myself average, I always thought of possible ‘what if’ situations to quickly fix and famous with my peers. It was so exciting to see this portrayed in the tale, and I loved reading every page. The author provides a beautiful message on how to accept and love yourself, irrespective of your shortcomings.

    Moreover, all the characters are simply adorable! Moth is terrific in the lead, and I loved her family and friends. Charlie always sticks by her side, and I adored their friendship. Mr. Gor-Gar is a sweetheart, and it was fun to see Moth’s reaction when she finds out about her mom. I also loved Peter and hope he has his spin-off series where he experiences the modern world.

    Furthermore, the illustrations are also excellent! I loved the bright colors and tone used to give the story a special touch. The character’s expressions are unique, and I loved some of the emotions that characters express.

    Probably the only thing I would have liked to see more of is Moth’s family history with her father. As I have not read the previous book, maybe we get more information there. I am going to pick out Book one to see how it all started!

    Overall, “The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow” is my favorite graphic novel of 2021 so far, and I cherished every moment of it!

    Giveaway:

    3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE OKAY WITCH AND THE HUNGRY SHADOW, US Only.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow (The Okay Witch #2) by Emma Steinkellner Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule
    Week 1:

    A Dream Within A Dream-Excerpt-6-28-2021
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-6-28-2021
    Kait Plus Books-Interview-6-29-2021
    Two Points of Interest-Review-6-29-2021
    cindysloveofbooks-Review-6-30-2021
    laura’s bookish corner -Review-6-30-2021
    Hurn Publications-Excerpt-7-1-2021
    celiamcmahonreads-Review-7-1-2021
    @drewsim12-Review-7-2-2021
    The Momma Spot-Review-7-2-2021

    Week 2:

    brittreadsalattebooks-Review-7-5-2021
    Lady Hawkeye-Excerpt-7-5-2021
    Fictitiouswonderland-Review-7-6-2021
    Pandora’s Books-Review-7-6-2021
    hauntedbybooks-Review-7-7-2021
    Curlygrannylovestoread -IG Spotlight-7-7-2021
    Confessions of a YA Reader -Review-7-8-2021
    Nerdophiles -Review-7-8-2021
    Eli to the nth-Review-7-9-2021
    Simply Daniel Radcliffe-Review-7-9-2021

     

  • Kyle’s Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong

    Kyle’s Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong

    Kyle's Little Sister

    Kyle’s Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong

    Release: June 22nd, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: JY
    Source: Amazon
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

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    My name is Grace, not “Kyle’s little sister!”

    Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks—especially when you’re the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you “Kyle’s little sister” while looking disappointed that you’re not more like him. I was really hoping I’d get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends…until he finds a way to ruin that, too…! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?!

    About the Author:

    BonHyung Jeong (Bon) studied Cartooning at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and Kyle’s Little Sister is her debut graphic novel, made possible with the help of numerous people. She hopes to make connections with others through relatable stories. She’s currently living in Korea, always busy playing console games – exactly like someone in the book!

     Goodreads

    Kyle’s Little Sister Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “Kyle’s Little Sister” is an adorable graphic novel that deals with friendship and sibling rivalry, and I enjoyed reading it.

    To begin with, I liked the friendship theme of the story. The author adds drama to Grace’s life as she struggles with her friendship with Jay and Amy. On top of that, she feels that her brother, Kyle, and their mother always roots for Kyle. The author depicted Grace’s feelings realistically, and I could relate to what she was going through. The story also places nicely where Grace soon finds herself in another popular crowd but doesn’t know their true intentions.

    Similarly, the author also handled the sibling relationship between Kyle and Grace nicely. While they get on each other’s nerves, in the end, they support one another. Cam also made a fine villain and was one of those characters I liked to dislike.

    But, the only criticism I have of the story is the breakup. While it makes sense that the girls all get angry and break up, I didn’t understand why they completely stopped talking to each other. If they have been friends for a long time, they could have easily patched things up. Moreover, I didn’t understand why Jay forgave Amy but not Grace, even though Amy was the one who said all those things. Jay doesn’t try even when Grace approaches and says hi to her. There was no explanation for this, and it felt off.

    Apart from that, I enjoyed the story. I think this is the author’s debut graphic novel and found it impressive. I hope we get this as a series, as I would like to read more of Grace growing up and surviving other challenges in middle school.

     

  • Lonely Receiver by Zac Thompson

    Lonely Receiver by Zac Thompson

    Lonely Receiver #1

    Lonely Receiver by Zac Thompson

    Release: April 20, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: AfterShock Comics
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Kindle, B&N

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    A Horror/Breakup Story in Five Parts

    Catrin Vander, a lonely video producer, buys an Artificial Intelligence partner.  The AI partner is to become an integral part of her life. After ten years together, her holographic wife suddenly disconnects without warning. The breakup drives Catrin to the point of near insanity. She’s alone for the first time in years and reeling from a loss she can’t comprehend.

    Set in the new future, drenched in pastels and sunshine, LONELY RECEIVER is a horror/breakup story in five parts.  The writer is Zac Thompson, author of THE REPLACER, HER INFERNAL DESCENT, No One’s Rose, X-Men, and the illustrator Jen Hickman. (MOTH & WHISPER, Test).

    About the Author:

    Zac Thompson is a writer born and raised on Prince Edward Island, Canada. He’s written titles like Marvelous X-Men, Cable, and X-Men: Black for Marvel Comics. Along with indie books such as Her Infernal Descent, Relay, and The Replacer.

    In 2019, Zac became the showrunner of the Age of X-Man universe at Marvel Comics. HorrorDNA called his critically acclaimed miniseries, Come Into Me, the best horror comic of 2018. Also, his debut comic series, The Dregs, was called “lowbrow brilliant” by New York Magazine. Zac’s novel, Weaponized, was the winner of the 2016 CryptTV horror fiction contest.

    Website | Twitter |Instagram | Goodreads

    Lonely Receiver Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    Firstly, I must applaud the creators of this graphic novel for coming up with a creative, futuristic story covering many issues like love, obsession, depression, and addiction. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I loved the weird offerings of the eccentric images each panel had to offer. The story also takes place in a futuristic society that feels so close to home, where you wonder if it could become a reality. On a side note, I loved the unique ways in which the authors end each volume, whether it be a user manual of Phylo or journal entries of Catrin.

    Secondly, the characters are also memorable. Catrin is one of the most complex characters I have read lately, and her emotional character was truly impressive. She is desperate, impulsive, and unpredictable, so you don’t know how the story will turn out. The storyline was engrossing, particularly when Hazel comes into the picture and how she impacts Catrin’s life. I was thoroughly enjoying this novel up until 2/3rd into the book.

    However, the story had too many convolutions for me to follow towards the end. At some point, I did not know what was happening and followed the tale only to admire the imagery. Furthermore, I also found it odd to see many pictures of Catrin naked, which felt unnecessary. I can imagine how the authors were taking it, but unfortunately, I missed the climax. However, I did appreciate the story for making me think about the purpose of our being. It raised questions about how our lives would be in the future if we happen to live in such a world.

    Overall, “Lonely Receiver” is unique science fiction, horror romance worth checking out if you are a fan of the genre.

  • Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota

    Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota

    Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota

    Release: November 9th, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Amulet Paperbacks
    Source: Amazon
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo.

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    A human and human-presenting AI slowly become friends—and maybe more—in this moving YA graphic novel.

    Shortly, augmentation and AI changed everything and nothing. Indira is a human girl who has been cybernetically augmented after a tragic accident, and Fawn is one of the first human-presenting AI. They have the same internship at a gallery, but neither thinks much of the other’s photography. But after a huge public blowout, their mentor gives them an ultimatum: work together on a project or leave her gallery forever. Grudgingly, the two begin to collaborate, and what comes out of it is astounding and revealing for both of them. Pixels of You is about the slow transformation of a rivalry to a friendship to something more as Indira and Fawn navigate each other, the world around them—and what it means to be an artist and a person.

    About the Authors:

    Yuko Ota & Ananth Hirsh live in Brooklyn, NY. Yuko’s a cartoonist. Ananth’s a writer. They’ve done many books and worked with a lot of clients on books, freelance, and more!

    Yuko and Ananth post comics at johnnywander.com. Their latest project is titled BARBAROUS.

    Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr| Twitter | Instagram |Tumblr

    Pixels of You Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    I was lucky to receive an early advanced copy of this beautiful graphic novel. There was mostly no coloring, and the creators didn’t finalize a few sketches, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. The storyline is lovely, and I can imagine how gorgeous the book would look once finished.

    Firstly, the story was fresh and innovative. I am not an avid reader of science-fiction, but I loved the world-building. It is interesting to see a world where AI and humans live side-by-side, exchange ideas, and adapt. It is also refreshing to see how the creators portrayed the AI world positively, rather than a cliched doomed one. Some of the scenes are deep and philosophical, making you think of our existence in the world and what our future holds.

    Secondly, both the leads are raw yet charming. Fawn is bubbly and energetic, while Indira is quiet and moody. I loved them as individuals and their relationship, and they complement each other SO well. It is true what they say; love transcends boundaries. They share a beautiful friendship, and their chemistry sizzles on the pages. I loved the moments where Fawn comes to see Indira when she is resting or their initial meeting when they have to work with each other.

    However, some moments felt a bit confusing. For instance, there is a scene where Indira sees demonic-like figures due to her pain. I felt as though the story might take on a supernatural angle as well. However, as I read the uncorrected copy, I am unsure if this would look different in the final draft.

    Overall, “Pixels of You” is a very creative, futuristic YA romance that I would recommend reading!

     

  • The Phantom of the Opera by Varga Tomi

    The Phantom of the Opera by Varga Tomi

    The Phantom of the Opera

    The Phantom of the Opera by Varga Tomi

    Release: October 20th, 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: A Wave Blue World
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N,

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    THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the iconic gothic romance, is retold with all the spectacle its legend demands in this devoted graphic novel adaptation that marries stunning artwork with Gaston Leroux’s haunting prose.

    Everyone has heard the whispered tales of the phantom living beneath the opera house, the mysterious trickster behind all the little mishaps and lost things. But no one has ever seen the monster . . . until now. The promise of a blossoming love allures him from his intricately constructed hideaways in the labyrinthine building’s walls and cellars. A  hideously disfigured artist trains the lovely Christine to be the opera’s next star for a steep price. More so, the  Ghost’s obsession with Christine only grows, and he seeks to possess her as his bride. What is she going to do? Does she choose her newfound success or her beloved Count Raoul? This doomed love triangle threatens to combust when a tragic death, a series of betrayals, and increasingly dangerous accidents cast the players of The Palais Garnier into a heart-wrenching horror story that will echo through the ages.

    About the Author:

    Tomi is a cartoonist from Hungary & a graduate of The Kubert School. He colored a bunch of Kevin Eastman’s TMNT covers and created a graphic novel adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, coming out in October 2020.

    Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Phantom of the Opera  Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    Let me preface by saying that I have never seen any of the other renditions, and the graphic novel was my first experience of reading the classic. Hence, I did not have anything to benchmark my expectations. Having that said, I enjoyed the story and the graphic novel representation.

    Firstly, the creators did an excellent job in the graphic novel. I was in awe at the level of details added in each background panel. Some of the imagery took my breath away and gave the book a perfect gothic feel. The Phantom is genuinely eerie and repulsive, yet there are scenes where you feel sorry for him. The scenes where the Chandelier falls or when Christine disappears after her performance was breath-taking!

    Similarly, I loved the plot as well. I am a sucker for gothic romance, and this is probably one of the earliest stories in the genre. Erik is one of the most complex characters, where hate him, yet part of you roots for him for what he has gone through.

    However, there were a few minor things that felt disconnected. For one thing, I thought the romance seemed off. I don’t blame the illustrators per se (as it could have been a translation from the original storylines). But, I didn’t feel the romance between Raoul and Christine. Moreover, I was rooting for the Phantom as I thought he was the most mesmerizing character. Also, I thought that the font text could have been better, as soon bubbles felt small to read.

    Apart from that, this was a delightful graphic novel to read. I would love to see the musical the next time I visit New York. Overall, I recommend “The Phantom of the Opera: The Graphic Novel” even if you haven’t seen the musical.

  • The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson, Jo Rioux

    The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson, Jo Rioux

    The Daughters of Ys

    The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson, Jo Rioux

    Release: May 12th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: First Second
    Source: Netgalley

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    An Atlantis-like city from Celtic legend is the setting of this mythical graphic novel fantasy from M. T. Anderson and artist Jo Rioux.

    Ys, city of wealth and wonder, has a history of dark secrets. Queen Malgven used magic to raise the great walls that keep Ys safe from the tumultuous sea. But after the queen’s inexplicable death, her daughters drift apart. Later, Rozenn, the heir to the throne, spends her time on the moors communing with wild animals. However, Dahut, the youngest, enjoys the splendors of royal life and is eager to take part in palace intrigue.

    Rozenn and Dahut’s bond is irrevocably changed. Thus the fate of Ys is sealed now, exposing the monsters that lurk in plain view. M. T. Anderson and Jo Rioux reimagine the folktale of love, loss, and rebirth, revealing the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

    About the Author:

    M. T. Anderson is the New York Times–bestselling author whose titles include Feed (a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize) and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (winner of the 2006 National Book Award). He is  also the author of two previous graphic novels: Yvain: The Knight of the Lion and The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge.

    Website

    Jo Rioux is an author and illustrator of children’s books. Her debut graphic novel Cat’s Cradle won the 2013 Joe Shuster Award for Comic for Kids. She lives in the lush suburbs of Ottawa where she spends most of her time drawing, reading, teasing her dog, and spinning tales of magic and monsters.

    Instagram

    The Daughters of Ys Review:

    Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me a e-copy of this book for my review. The Daughters of Ys is a beautiful fantasy graphic novel that brings the Breton folktale to life.

    I always enjoy reading graphic novels that have an aura of magic and mystery to it. The highlight of the story is the characters. I loved both the sisters, and felt they both brought their own uniqueness to the story. Personally, I loved Dahut more than the others, as she was very complex. Even though Rozenn is pleasant, I felt Dahut consistently fought her emotional demons for her conscious. Also, I liked Corentin and his conversation with Rozenn.  Moreover, I loved the illustrations and colors. The artwork feels simplistic, but each panel explains the story really well with its beautiful graphics. Some parts are gruesome and dark, but adds well to the plot.

    However, my only problem with the story was the lack of information. There is not enough history provided for the characters. For instance, why does the villain (who appears in the second half) want to end the contract? Why do Rozenn and Dahut suddenly have a change of heart? How does the family suddenly prosper after all the events with nothing of value? I enjoy stories where some parts are left for readers to interpret. However, this story felt like there were many elements unexplained. If would have been nice if more details were provided.

    Overall, I enjoyed reading this graphic novel, but would have loved it had it been longer with more details. But, it is still worth reading just for its beautiful imagery and illustrations.