Book Review: Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst
Book Review: Brindille by Frederic Brremaud, Federico Bertolucci
Book Review: And Yet, You Are So Sweet by Kujira Anan
Book Review: She's My Knight, Volume 1, by Saisou
Book Review: The New Girl (Elle(s)) Script by Kid Toussain and Art by Aveline Stokart
Early Book Review: Villainous by Stonie Williams, Jef Sadzinski
Book Review: Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense., Vol. 1, by Jirou Oimoto, Koin
Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense., Vol. 1, by Jirou Oimoto and Koin is a young adult novel that was first published as a webnovel and has been translated and is now being oublished in a print format. Though she doesn’t play many MMOs, Maple has either a natural talent or impossibly good luck, because by pouring every last stat point she has into Vitality, she’s created a character who can’t be hurt! Whether it’s physical attacks or magic or status effects, nothing poses a real threat. In no time at all, news spreads across the server about the adorable terror who can’t be defeated. While Maple may just be having fun, her broken build is sure to attract lots of unexpected attention.
Bofuri is an entertaining story that fans of online gaming and anime or manga like Sword Art Online will particularly enjoy. I liked the personality of Maple, and how the other gamers view her. I was expecting a bit more gamer animosity- only because that is what I see more of in the real world. I liked the way playing an MMO was framed- and it brought me back to my college days of computer lab hours playing text based versions of games (MUDS) just like this. I had never seen the webnovel version of this story, so it was all new to me. I thought it was fun, and I really enjoyed it. I did think there was going to be more illustrations- based on the cover and subject matter- but that was my preconceived notion rather than unfulfilled promises. I think that middle grade and middle school readers would enjoy the read just as much, if not more, than young adult readers. I would happily continue reading, and I wonder how the next event will go for the players.
Book Review: Martian Ghost Centaur by Mat Heagerty, Steph Mided
Martian Ghost Centaur, written by Mat Heagerty and illustrated by Steph Mided, is a young adult graphic novel. The town of Southborough used to be a major tourism destination, drawing folks from all over in the hopes they’d spot the famous Sasquatch, reportedly seen in the town many times over the years. But it’s been ages since anyone’s spotted the ‘squatch, and tourism is starting to dry up. A tech company called Start-up.com (a start-up that helps people start their own start-ups) decides to begin buying up places all over town in order to build their techie headquarters, driving out all the local townspeople. Luckily, Southborough is also home to Louie O’Connor, firm believer in the Sasquatch’s existence and all-around, mega ’squatch fan. When Louie’s dads’ restaurant, Squatch Burger, starts to go under and fall prey to the techie start-up, Louie and her best friend Felix decide they’ll do whatever it takes to save the town from losing all the people and places that make it special. In hopes that convincing people the Sasquatch is real and to drive back tourism, Louie and Felix plan an elaborate hoax in hopes of saving the town from the dot-com takeover. But when Felix starts talking about leaving their hometown for college in LA, Louie will have to face some tough questions about herself, her future career, and her place in her beloved hometown.
Martian Ghost Centaur is not quite what I went in expecting, but it was exactly what it needed to be. Louie is a teenager with a love of a good story, and her hometown. She wants the stories she has believed in since childhood, and the town she loves, to survive the incoming technology and has plenty of plans to do so. I loved her determination and willingness to do anything for the people and places that she loves. She also has to deal with the upcoming transition to adulthood- and all that goes with it. None of the things she faces are easy, but when coming at her all at once it is no wonder she becomes overwhelmed. I thought the relationships ad reactions were realistic and well written, making the more unrealistic aspects of the story seem that much more likely. I loved the art style and think it lent itself perfectly to the quirkiness of the characters and the town. I liked some of the details that were added to the story via the artwork, and thought that moods, expression, and motion were very well conveyed. I can think of one or two little things I would have liked to see a little different, but they are more things that would have just made me smile rather than anything that would be important to the story. I enjoyed this read, and think that this book can be enjoyed by a much bigger reading market than young adults, as those both older and younger that the target audience can get enjoyment and more from the read.
Martian Ghost Centaur is a graphic novel that is an enjoyable read, with a nice balance of feels and fun.
Book Review: Secrets of Camp Whatever, Vol. 1, by Chris Grine
Secrets of Camp Whatever, Vol. 1, by Chris Grine is a middle grade graphic novel. Eleven year-old Willow doesn't want to go to her dad's weird old summer camp any more than she wants her family to move to the weird old town where that camp is located. But her family—and fate itself—seem to have plans of their own. Soon Willow finds herself neck-deep in a confounding mystery involving stolen snacks, suspected vampires, and missing campers, all shrouded in the sinister fog that hides a generation of secrets at Camp ... Whatever it's called.
Secrets of Camp Whatever is a story that I think readers from a wide range of ages will enjoy. The art is very well done, and captures the mood of the characters, the setting, and the underlying mysteries very well. I liked the personalities of the kids, and I found their reluctance and curiosity to be very realistic in spite of the things they discover. The way they deal with each other, the adults around them, and the mysteries of the island only made me interested to learn more.Willow's independence, and the way some people treated her, was key in her personality but not the story development. I really enjoyed the read, and am looking forward to this series continuing.
Secrets of Camp Whatever is a fun and engaging graphic novel that left me eager to see what volume two might have in store.
Book Review: Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Volume 1, by Yoko Nogiri
Early Book Review: Pepper Page Saves the Universe! by Landry Q. Walker, Eric Jones
Early Book Review: Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter
Girl Haven, written by Lilah Sturges and illustrated by Meaghan Carter, is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on February 9 2021. Three years ago, Ash’s mom left home and never returned, leaving behind a husband and child and a shed full of mystical curiosities related to the all-girl fantasy world she’d created as a child—Koretris. One day Ash invites a new group of friends from Pride Club over, and they try one of the spells to enter Koretris. To their amazement, they’re all transported to a magical realm filled with human-sized talking animals who are fiercely protective of their world and are ready to fight to protect it. But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy—shouldn’t the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?
Girl Haven is a middle grade fantasy that holds appeal for older readers as well. Ash is trying to figure life out, find a friend group, and figure out how to keep moving forward after their mother disappeared. Making inroads with a new group is hard enough, but when you are still reeling with the loss of your mother and not quite comfortable in your own skin it is even harder. Add in a trip to a magical world with the journey of finding your own path and emotions, fear, and uncertainty can take over. I really liked the character and world building. I thin Ash and the Pride Group and are well built characters with room to grow both individually and together. I loved the world building of Koretis, and the story line surrounding is creation and troubles. I hope to see this continue on in a fun, lengthy series and plan on following it. The art style fits with the story, but I will admit is not my personal favorite style. However, it is a style found in many very popular graphic novels and cartoons, and I think it will appeal greatly to the target audience. There was great skill in the artwork, motion, emotion, and detail was well done. It is much more a matter of personal preference than anything else.
Girl Haven is a solid graphic novel for middle grade, and older, audiences that is entertain and encourages readers to find their own truth and their own story.
Book Review: Unleashed (Jinxed) by Amy McCulloch
Book Review: Sarah's Dream (Grémillet Sisters) Script by Giovanni Di Gregorio & Art by Alessandro Barbucci
Sarah's Dream is the first book in the Grémillet Sisters graphic novel series, the script is by Giovanni Di Gregorio and art by Alessandro Barbucci. Being sisters is never easy. But when you’re as different as Sarah, Cassiopeia, and Lucille, it’s even harder! The first is haunted by recurring dreams, the second lives with her head in the clouds, and the last spends most of her time with her cat. Then one day they discover a mysterious photo of their mother pregnant. Where was it taken, and who is the baby? And most importantly, why was this photo hidden away in the depths of the attic? To find out, they’ll have to venture into the tangled forest of the Grémillet family secrets!
Sarah's Dream is a story about family, siblings in particular. I liked the mysterious elements of the dreams of jellyfish. I think the pages really had an ethereal feel and made the story otherworldly. The color work and art style greatly appealed to me, and I enjoyed the art as much as the story. The emotion and mood of each page was well captured, with details that I did not always catch at first glance. The dynamic between the sisters was very real to me, as siblings often have that struggle of love and annoyance going at all times. I will say that the story was not quite what I was expecting. I was really expecting more magic, mythical, or paranormal twist to rise up in the story. The story is well written and drawn, it was just not the story that I expected. That's not always a bad thing, especially when it is well done, as it is here. I was just really in the mood for magical mayhem, and did not get that.