Book Review: The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, by Miraijin A and Kurikaramaru
Early Book Review: The Doors to Nowhere (Secrets of Camp Whatever) by Chris
The Doors to Nowhere is the second volume of the Secrets of Camp Whatever graphic novel series by Chris Grine. It is currently scheduled for release on May 3 2022. I do recommend reading the series in order to have the full backstory and understand who and what the characters are.
When twelve-year-old Willow went to her weird new town's even weirder summer camp, she didn't expect to get caught up in an ancient mystery involving forest-dwelling vampires, living garden gnomes, and other completely bonkers creatures most people would never believe exist. Now she's not only involved, she's marked—too close to the heart of an ages-old quest for power and control than she should be, and too concerned about her new friends and the dangers they face to let them go it alone. With the help of a spell book and her scrappy crew of camp friends, Willow is about to step through a doorway to magic and discovery that will change her world forever.
The Doors to Nowhere is another well written and skillfully drawn graphic novel for the middle grade and older set. I liked the continuation of the story and how the characters continue to grow as individuals and as part of a friend group. I liked the art style and found the expressiveness of character faces to be on point throughout the book. I thought the reminders of past adventures was well done, reminding readers of important moments without covering too much of the same ground. My only complaint is that I wanted more. The story had a satisfying resolution, with plenty of foreshadowing for further adventures, but it just felt like it was over far to quickly so I went back and enjoyed some of my favorite moments again. I am eager to see where the story goes from here.
The Doors to Nowhere is a great follow up to the first installment, and I look forward to reading what happens next.
Book Review: Two Heads: A Graphic Exploration of How Our Brains Work with Other Brains by Uta Frith; Chris Frith; Alex Frith
Two Heads: A Graphic Exploration of How Our Brains Work with Other Brains was written by Uta Frith, Chris Frith, and Alex Frith, and illustrated by Daniel Locke. Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. Here, in Two Heads, their distinguished careers serve as a prism through which they share the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration, and empathy. Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, the professors examine the way that neuroscientific research is now focused on the fact we are a social species, whose brains have evolved to work cooperatively. They delve into a wide range of complex concepts and explain them with humor and clarity. You’ll discover what happens when people gather in groups, and how people behave when they’re in pairs—either pitted against each other or working together. Is it better to surround yourself with people who are similar to yourself, or different? And, are two heads really better than one?
Two Heads offers readers a solid understanding of the brain, and all it wonders and misfires. I like that opposing viewpoints are mentioned, and that the fact that these two experts openly admit that they disagree on some topics. I like how the text makes it clear what experts think they know, that there are various schools of thought, and just how much we still have to learn. It is when scientists or experts proclaim that we have all the answers that they loose credibility with me. I thought the illustrations were charming, and I liked the labels, humor, and hidden details which made each page more engaging and interactive. I think it was written in a very accessible style, with humor and explanations that really work. I found the personal touches and side comments made the book more entertaining and broke up some of the more intense teaching moments to help readers process. I think it is honestly approachable to any reader interested in the subject matter. As expected of a book from scholars and professionals, the footnotes and endpages were on point and well done. I think this would be a great addition to libraries, particularly graphic medicine collection (I will be recommending it for my own workplace just for that reason).
Early Book Review: Peach and the Isle of Monsters by Franco Aureliani, Agnes Garbowska
Early Book Review: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Teny Issakhanian
Wingbearer is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel with fantastic writing. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning, ad my only complaint is that now I have to try and wait patiently for the next installment. Zuli and the the characters that she meets on her journey are well written and complex, with very few good/evil absolutes. The world building, as revealed through the characters and their interactions, was very well done. I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of the important aspects of the world, and never felt like there was an info dump. It was reveals as things became important in a way that really made sense and felt natural. Although, I will admit that I saw the big reveal (not telling), or something very close to it coming on a couple levels. However, I think the way it was done was smart and will keep readers hooked and invested in continuing the series. I think this series will be a new favorite for a wide range of readers and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Wingbearer is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading what comes next.
Early Book Review: Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao
After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars—at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name. Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.
Book Review: Night Cry by Borja Gonzalez
Book Review: The Secrets of the Heart (School of Love) by BeKa, Maya
Early Book Review: Housecat Trouble by Mason Dickerson
Housecat Trouble is a cute graphic novel. I liked the artwork and found t to be fun and bold. I think it will capture and keep the attention of middle grade readers. I will admit that from the cover and description I thought this would be for a younger audience, but is definitely for the middle grade crowd. Buster makes friends, faces his fears, and has an adventure. I like that the friends grow and learn too, the character growth is not limited to Buster. There are evil spirits, questish moments, sweet moments, and some silliness. It is an interesting and entertaining read. I liked that a page on drawing your own cat was included at the end of the book, that might further engage interested readers.
Book Review: Extinctions: Twilight of the Species by Jean-Baptiste De Panafieu, Alexandre Franc
Early Book Review: Incubators: A Graphic History by Paige V. Polinsky, Josep Rural
Book Review: Would You Like To Be A Family? by Koyama
Book Review: Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure by Jeff Jensen, George Schall
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure, written by Jeff Jensen and illustrated by George Schall, is a graphic novel inspired by the true story of Kate Warne, America’s first female detective and her signature achievement--cracking a plot by Confederate radicals to kill Abraham Lincoln. America is at a crossroads. Secession is spreading. And the nation’s newly elected president is the target of a conspiracy to assassinate him and trigger a Civil War. The safety of Lincoln and his family—and the future of the American experiment—hinges on the success of a new kind of lawman, known by a word still novel in the culture of the time: detective. But there was only one who would prove to be up to the task—an individual whose extraordinary cleverness and resourcefulness would alter the course of history from deep within the shadows of domestic spycraft. Her name was Kate Warne. This is the story of America’s first female detective, a trailblazing working woman trying to make a living and do some good in a tumultuous, sexist age, and whose mysterious life and tall tale exploits are truly the stuff of legend.
Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure is a historical graphic novel that shares a bit of history many might not know. The truth of female detectives and what women went through in that time is something people do not always know, or think about if they know. I found the story of Kate and her found family to be fascinating, and while I know much of it was likely embellished or altered for a good story, the important truths are in there as well. I thought the artwork was extremely well done, capturing the period and emotions of the story with great effect. My biggest issue with the story is that I wanted more about Kate and her group after the adventure with the Lincolns, but before the scenes that framed the story here. I need more about what happened with each of her group, because I found myself just as concerned with the secondary characters as the main players. I think this will be a hot with many readers, and might start some into researching more about the female agents of Pinkerton.
Early Book Review: Tidesong by Wendy Xu
Tidesong by Wendy Xu is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on November 16 2021. Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and she accidentally entangles her magic with the magic of a young water dragon named Lir. Lir is trapped on land and can’t remember where he came from. Even so, he’s everything Sophie isn’t—beloved by Sophie’s family and skilled at magic. With his help, Sophie might just ace her entrance exams, but that means standing in the way of Lir’s attempts to regain his memories. Sophie knows what she’s doing is wrong, but without Lir’s help, can she prove herself?
Book Review: When Will Ayumu Make His Move? Volume 1, by Soichiro Yamamoto
Book Review: You're My Cutie, Volume 1, by Nakaba Harufuji
Book Review: A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation, Volume 4, by Misaki, Momochi, Sando
Book Review: Beauty and the Beast of Paradise Lost , Volume 1, by Kaori Yuki
Book Review: In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Volume 1, by Mika Yamamori
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Volume 1, by Mika Yamamori is a manga style graphic novel. Yoi Takiguchi has long legs, a deep voice, and a handsome face. In other words, Yoi is such a good-looking guy that most people don't notice or care that she is, in fact, a girl. Indeed, she's had the nickname "Prince" as long as she can remember. That is, until she met Ichimura-senpai, the only person who's really seemed to see her for herself. To her surprise, she's not sure how to handle this new relationship, especially when her newfound friend is a prince himself (and a guy prince, at that). The story of the two high school princes starts here!
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is a well written and drawn graphic novel. I liked that even though Yoi is cast as a prince, she really does not do anything that marks her as different or masculine. People are just judging her on looks and how she carries herself rather than any actual 'I'm different from other girls' action. She is just trying to get through life being successful in school and with her family's restaurant. Because oft his she has no dating experience and has no idea how to react to Ichimura- which most awkward teens and adult can relate to. Many of us have trouble with compliments and whatnot, which makes the whole awkward dance between the two so relatable and fun. I would have liked a little more of them developing a friendship, or more interaction with friend groups, but I think that the book did give enough that will keep many readers interested and looking for the next volume.