Review: The Steel Prince Vol. 1 by V.E. Schwab

The Steel Prince (Shades of Magic Graphic Novels, #1) by V.E. Schwab Published by Titan Graphic novel, fantasy

The youthful Maxim Maresh is sent to a violent and unmanageable port city on the Blood Coast of Verose, on strict orders from his father, King Nokil Maresh, to cut his military teeth in this lawless landscape.
There, he encounters an unruly band of soldiers, a lawless landscape, and the intoxicatingly deadly presence of the newly returned pirate queen, Arisa.

I'm so happy to be back in this world and to learn even more about the fringes of it, not to forget about different types of magic that was only briefly touched upon in Shades of Magic. There's certainly lot happening here: a pirate queen, who uses forbidden bone magic, young and untested prince, and fierce guard, who has lot to prove. There's fast paced action and magic, which I really liked. My only complain is that it was too short - I could have read a full novel! Luckily there's more of Maxim's adventures coming.

The Steel Prince has gorgeous art work. I loved how the magic Schwab created translated visually.

I will try to patiently wait for next instalment, because I need more from this world - and I want to know what happens during the Night of Knives!
4 of 5 stars
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Review: Estranged by Ethan M. Aldridge

Estranged (Estranged, #1)
by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by Harper
Middle Grade, fantasy, adventure, graphic novel

Edmund and the Childe were swapped at birth. Now Edmund lives in secret as a changeling in the World Above, his fae powers hidden from his unsuspecting parents and his older sister, Alexis. The Childe lives among the fae in the World Below, where being a human makes him a curiosity at the royal palace.

But when the cruel sorceress Hawthorne seizes the throne, the Childe and Edmund must unite on a dangerous quest to save both worlds - even if they're not sure which world they belong to.

Estranged has absolutely gorgeous artwork; the style and details are incredible. Often, I just stared at the art instead of continuing the story because of how intricate it all is. The artwork is definitely one of the best parts of this graphic novel, however, the storyline and characters are not far behind. Aldridge weaves a story with depth about identity and formation of families, about accepting and finding oneself.

Edmund and Childe were swapped at birth, so Edmund has spend his life as changeling and Childe has spend his as human pet in the high court of fae, where he wasn't even given a name. Both struggled with their identity and place in the world, and I absolutely loved how deep and meaningful it all was. There's also a plethora of interesting side characters; Whick, a wax golem and Childe's only friend, and Alexis, Edmund's sister. I especially loved how smart Alexis is - she's older and actually knew myths and legends because she had studied them, and I could easily relate to her determined mindset to protect her little brother.

Estranged is beautiful and adventurous story, which I really loved. I cannot wait for the sequel!

5 of 5 stars

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Review: Fence #2 by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

Fence #2
by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Published by Boom! Box
Comic/graphic novel, YA, LGBT, contemporary, sports

As Seiji and Nicholas struggle with their living arrangement, the competition heats up.

The first issue of Fence set the sport and competition nicely, but I really loved how this issue introduced the boarding school and the fencers there. It gives it a bit more in depth, although with all the new guys from the Kings Row fencing team, I'm more intrigued than ever. Also, I really want to learn more about everyone, especially Nicholas and Seiji, but everyone else too! Nicholas and Seiji's living arrangement was just so hilarious, the contrast between their personalities really comes through it. All the tension between them is just so amazing.

I need more, that's all I can say, because I really like this comic. I want to learn all about the characters, see more fencing scenes, and see if Nicholas can achieve his dreams. The wait between issues is killing me, even if I try to savour the issues and not read them as soon as they're published.

So yeah, really loving this world of boarding school, fencing, and these competitive boys. All I need is more of this adventure.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Fence #1 by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

Fence #1
by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Published by Boom! Box
Comic/graphic novel, YA, LGBT, contemporary, sports

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is an outsider to the competitive fencing world. Filled with raw talent but lacking proper training, he signs up for a competition that puts him head-to-head with fencing prodigy Seiji Katayama...and on the road to the elite all-boys school Kings Row. A chance at a real team and a place to belong awaits him—if he can make the cut!

I have been super excited about Fence for months - ever since I heard that Pacat was creating a comic about fencing with LGBT characters. I loved the Captive Prince series, so I dived right into the world of Fence, even if I haven't really read comics before and only a few graphic novels. First of all, I loved the artwork and illustrations: Johanna the Mad is talented, and I like the realistic style. There were multiple occasions where I just stared the panels and admired them! 

Then the story line and characters; I liked the main character Nicholas from the beginning. He's a raw talent with little to no training, but more than that, he's determined to make it to the elite school where he can fence and compete. The fencing prodigy, Seiji, also intrigued me and I can't wait to read more about him! This first installment was a nice start, however, my only complain is the length. Fence is around thirty pages long and since I'm used to reading books that have hundreds of pages, it all ended so soon and left me yearning for more. I know that comics are shorter and maybe it just takes a little bit time to get used to the shortness of them.

Anyway, I liked Fence and I'm excited the read more about Nicholas and his adventures in the world of fencing - and I do recommend it for everyone who's intrigued by the premise!

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson
Published by Harper Voyager
Paperback (purchased)
Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Nimona's reckless, shapeshifting sidekick with thirst for blowing stuff up and killing heroes. I didn't click with her for some reason and I found her a bit annoying at the beginning. However, I absolutely fell in love with the supervillain, Lord Ballister Blackheart, and his nemesis Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Ballister is a villain with morals and he's basically a huge science nerd which was so adorable. Ambrosius is an Institution trained hero with lots of morals and soft spot (love) for Ballister. Their banter, fights, and rulers for fighting is hilarious and adorable; I spend the whole comic shipping them because they are fated.

I wouldn't mind a sequel with more Ballister and Ambrosius, and cameo from Nimona.

Nimona is an action packed and fun graphic novel, which I definitely recommend to check out and read. The art is beautiful and the story is brilliant. There is plenty of villainous plans, fighting against the Institution, blowing up things, and friendships.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Saga Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Stables

Saga, Volume 1
by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Stables
Published by Image Comics
Paperback (borrowed from library)
Graphic novel, adult, fantasy, sci-fi

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

I had high expectations for Saga because so many people were raving about it. While I liked the graphic style and the use of colour, the storyline itself didn't make me like it a bit. Saga certainly is fast paced, but I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I wasn't concerned for any of them and by the end I couldn't care less for the heroes of the story. Overall there just wasn't anything to keep me attached to the story because it wasn't able to get me into the story in the first place.

Also the explicit content made my stomach churn - not because the sexual content but all the core stuff. I couldn't enjoy the story because of that and especially because of this one spider character (I'm severely arachnophobic).

I'm not going to continue with Saga as it simply isn't for me. But if you enjoy something that's really sci-fi and you don't squirm from lots of core (or sexual content), then Saga might be for you.

2 of 5 stars.

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Review: The Wicked + The Divine, Fandemonium by Kieron Gillen

Fandemonium (The Wicked + The Divine, #2)
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Clayton Cowles
Published by Image Comics
Paperback (borrowed from library)
Fantasy, graphic novel

Following the tragic and unjust death of Lucifer, it takes a revelation from Inanna to draw Laura back into the worlds of Gods and Superstardom to try and discover the truth behind a conspiracy to subvert divinity.

Fandemonium was a great sequel for the The Faust Act. It didn't manage to be better than the first installment but it was still a great graphic novel. The reason why it couldn't really top the first one, is because my favourite character wasn't in it. The art work continued to be truly amazing. It was interesting and nice to get to know both new characters and get glimpses of depth in others. However, there was a few annoying characters who got a little bit too much attention in my opinion, mainly Cassandra.

The twist at the end was something so unexpected. I'm starting to think that these graphic novels will give me a heart-attack with the big twists at the end, because even if you wait for it, it'll still surprise because it's so unexpected.

I continue to recommend this graphic novel series because it's fast to read and full of surprises.

4 of 5 stars.

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Review: The Wicked + The Divine, The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen

The Faust Act (The Wicked + The Divine, #1)
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Clayton Cowles
Published by Image Comics
Paperback (borrowed from library)
Fantasy, graphic novel

Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. It's happening now. It's happening again. 

First of all, I don't read graphic novels or comics often, but this definitely got my attention. The blurb was so unique I just had to read it. The graphics were fantastic, I especially liked the vivid colours. The story itself was good, I was not disappointed. The concept was a bit more unique than the execution but it wasn't a failure of any kind - I guess I just had high expectations after the glorious blurb. However, the twist at the end, oh my, I'm so happy that my flatmate loaned the sequel for me right on because I couldn't have waited any longer to get more of the story.

The characters were amazing, although some more than others. Lucifer was my absolute favourite, but I really want to know more about Baphomet, Morrigan, and some other gods that were only mentioned. There was a few irritating characters like Cassandra but then again, it's good that the story has a variety of different types of people. And the diversity! The diversity was absolutely fantastic in this one, although there was a way more female characters than male ones but I hope that there will be more variety in that matter on the sequel.

I do recommend The Faust Act if the blurb sounds intriguing to you because the story is solid and the graphics are amazing,

4 of 5 stars.

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Review: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle
by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Published by Bloomsbury
Hardback (borrowed from library)
Fantasy, graphic novel, retelling

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.

On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future – and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems. Twisting together the familiar and the new, this perfectly delicious, captivating and darkly funny tale shows its creators at the peak of their talents. 

Lavishly produced, packed with glorious Chris Riddell illustrations enhanced with metallic ink, this is a spectacular and magical gift.

Picking up The Sleeper and the Spindle at the library was a random decision. It looked like a fast read and I have been meaning to read a graphic novel for a time - and it's a retelling so I decided to dive into it right away.

I'm truly happy I picked this one up. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful in a kind of gory way, and I loved how the story entwined two different fairy tales and twisted and molded until it was a unique retelling story. Gaiman is also a master of writing old fairy tale style that brings in mind Grimm Brothers style and all those childhood tales I read when I was younger. The characters were also interesting; the queen, the three dwarfs, the sleeper and the old lady. There were all of the usual character arcs but with twists so it wasn't predictable at all. The story came into the end way too soon, I'd loved to read more.

The Sleeper and the Spindle is truly an enchanting tale with wonderful illustrations. I wish Gaiman and Riddell will work together in the future as I'd love to read more retellings from them. I highly recommend this to everyone in a need of quick and good read!

4 of 5 stars.

The Sleeper and the Spindle on Goodreads.