Tag: graphic novel

Review: Snug

DeAnneLeave a comment

Why bother getting out of bed when you could stay bundled up with that special someone and a book of cozy, cute comics. From the author of the bestselling Little Moments of Love comes Snug, a collection of comics that perfectly captures the honest, playful, and relatable snapshots of romantic life.

Chetwynd’s second book has the same charming and inviting style as her first and includes 50 percent new, never-before-shared comics. Snug is a celebration of the quirks and peculiarities of every one of us—and the magic that happens when we find our matching puzzle piece.

I’ve followed Catana Comics for a long time on Instagram so I was very excited when I saw that there’s a book coming out. I love her art style and the little vignettes into her relationship which funnily enough is a lot like the relationship I’m in. It’s a perfect representation of being in a loving relationship with someone who is not only your partner but your best friend who you are (for the most part) on the same level with.

This collection is a fun read that would make almost anyone feel warm fuzzies and put a smile on their face. If you’re looking for something that will be uplifting and cute, pick this one up.

Happy reading!

Series Review: The Wicked + The Divine

DeAnneLeave a comment

They say all good things must come to an end, but I was both excited for the finale of this series and dreading it. This graphic novel series has by far been one of my favorites. It is definitely full of adult content and very graphic in nature, so keep that in mind if you are going to pick it up. From what I’ve noticed it is also quite polarizing, some people love it like I did, but some people don’t.

Now let’s get into it – The Wicked + The Divine tells the story of a group of twelve individuals who become Gods and then die two years later. This is a cycle that happens every 90 years and no one* knows why (ok, there’s someone who knows why, but they aren’t talking). During the time that they are Gods they are both loved and hated. They become the biggest celebrities there are, scrutinized by all and constantly watched.

This series was masterfully done, the pieces slowly coming together and peeling back layer after layer to discover the truth regarding how this started happening and what the reasons behind it truly was.

There were so many moments that caused extreme emotions because I became so invested in the different characters and their stories. The last volume alone made me cry multiple times.

If you love stories that are a twist on mythologies, examinations of humans and their motivations or just a fun time, definitely check out this series. The last volume recently came out, so it is complete and can be binged!

Happy reading!

Review: Dewdrop

DeAnneLeave a comment

Title: Dewdrop
Author and Illustrator: Katie O’Neill
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication Date: April 7th, 2020

Synopsis: Dewdrop is an easygoing, gentle axolotl who enjoys naps, worm pie, and cheerleading. When the yearly sports fair nears, he and his friends—Mia the weightlifting turtle, Newman the musical newt, and three minnows who love to cook—get ready to showcase their skills to the whole pond! However, as the day of the fair gets closer, Dewdrop’s friends can’t help putting pressure on themselves to be the best. It’s up to Dewdrop to remind them how to be mindful, go at their own pace, and find joy in their own achievements.

As soon as I heard that Katie O’Neill was coming out with another book I had to read it. I absolutely love the messages she weaves into her books and her art style. The bright color palette and her adorable characters are sure to draw anyone in, but in all her works there are beautiful stories and messages that are great for all ages.

Dewdrop is an adorable little axolotl who loves being a cheerleader and encouraging his friends. As they are preparing for the sports festival each of his friends encounter setbacks with what they are trying to do, but Dewdrop is there to help them through their difficulties and offer support.

This was such as a wonderful read that will be amazing for younger children, I’ll definitely be picking up a copy for my niece once it comes out!

If it sounds like something that you or someone you know would like, be sure to pick up a copy when it comes out April 7th, 2020 from Oni Press. Happy reading!

Review: Raven the Pirate Princess Vol 1

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I’ve heard of this graphic novel before, but the few things I’d heard of it didn’t tell me much about the synopsis. Still, when I saw it in my local comic shop I was intrigued enough to pick it up.

In this we follow Raven, whose been usurped by her greedy brothers and has the sole purpose of getting back what’s hers. This volume primarily focuses on her gathering a crew and starting her adventure. Though her main purpose remains the same throughout the volume we do see a lot of flashbacks that show what lead her to this place in her life. It’s also very diverse in respect to personalities, race and sexuality.

I loved the art style of this graphic novel, it was very realistic yet vibrant and dynamic. I look forward to reading more of this series and seeing where things go. It will be interesting to see if some of Raven’s motivation changes or not.

If you’re looking for a fun, feminine pirate adventure with tons of humor and a promising story line that is sure to lead to capers.

Happy reading!

Review: Pilu of the Woods by Mai Nguyen

DeAnneLeave a comment

Pilu of the woodsPilu of the Woods follows Willow, a little girl who obviously has been going through some emotional turmoil and at some point has had some trauma in her life. This story explores grief, loneliness anger and a number of other strong emotions that many people must learn to handle at a young age. Throughout her journey she meets Pilu and the girls bond while they learn how to handle their emotions and exactly what those emotions cause within them.

I was not prepared for the emotions I experienced while reading this. The emotions were so heartfelt and real with both little girls having to learn things about themselves and how they feel about different situations. I was prepared for this to be a sweet story, but it was so much more than that. At times what both Pilu and Willow were feeling were very raw, real emotions that are hard to deal with and accept, but they find a way. The girls have clear personalities that make them relatable to the reader and when they struggle the reader can certainly feel it.

I absolutely loved the art style of this story. Muted earth tones along with the style itself gave the story a beautiful, whimsical look. It was easy to follow and so easily draws one in with clear details. Everything from the characters to the backgrounds was well thought out and so enjoyable to experience.

Pilu of the Woods comes out on April 16, 2019 from Oni Press.  I definitely recommend pre-ordering or picking up this one when it comes out.  It was an absolutely enjoyable read and would be a great addition to any library.

Happy reading!

Review: Hidden Heartbreak

DeAnneLeave a comment

Hidden Heartbreak CoverI used to follow @HiddenHeartbreak’s posts on Instagram as the art and story intrigued me, so when I found out that much of that story had been compiled into a book I was excited to take a look.

I was a little disappointed that it didn’t seem to include much art that was new, though it was nice to see the entire story, or healing process, in one continuous stream.

Hidden Heartbreak is a graphic representation of the author’s relationship and where it went wrong.  It does take a look at insecurities some people may have, as well as glimpses of a toxic relationship and how the author worked her way back from it.

I probably would have gotten much more out of this book if I wasn’t already familiar with the art, of if there had been more that was brand new, but I felt that this was a great collection of the art from the instagram account.

Hidden Heartbreak comes out January 8, 2019 from Andrews McMeel Publishing.  If it’s something that interests you, check it out!

Happy reading!

 

Review: Book Love by Debbie Tung

DeAnneLeave a comment

Book Love CoverOh my god, if ever I thought an author was watching my life and using it for inspiration, this would be it. Book Love is a graphic novel by Debbie Tung coming out in January. This is the perfect portrayal of book lovers in so many different ways. I loved seeing all the different quirks, emotions and habits of book lovers which I can definitely identify with. The flow of the book was quick and fun, often interchanging from humorous to meaningful. The art style was a beautiful sketch style that inserted just enough detail to make each character unique and each setting recognizable.

If you are a book lover or know someone who is a book lover this is a wonderful book to enjoy and share. It captures so much that is true about those of us who enjoy immersing ourselves in reading and books.

Book Love comes out on January 1st, 2019 through Andrews McMeel publishing.  Be sure to check it out or get the book lover in your life a copy! You can also find Debbie Tung on Twitter at @WheresMyBubble.

Happy Reading!

Review: Sheets by Brenna Thummler

DeAnneLeave a comment

I got a digital copy of Sheets by Brenna Thummler from NetGalley without knowing Sheets Covermuch about it.  I had seen the cover and heard little snippets, but I didn’t know what the themes or story really were.  Overall I felt this graphic novel was good, but could have benefited from refining.

Sheets follows a ghost named Wendell and a girl named Marjorie. Both are dealing with their own respective issues that in some ways draw them together.  They both struggle with being accepted by their peers and are often faced by misunderstandings.

There were aspects of the story that I felt could have been fleshed out more.  You would get a little tidbit but not the whole story, which I know can be hard in this type of format. Also, the pacing did seem to fluctuate quite a bit, which could make it a little more difficult to read at time.

The art was a unique style that had a number of bright pops and great moments.  I would definitely read more by this author based on the art alone. There were some wonderful moments of whimsy in the art that I really enjoyed.

If you want to pick up your own copy of Sheets, it comes out today, August 28th. You can find out more on Goodreads, or order your own on Amazon.

Happy reading!

Review: Open Earth by Sarah Mirk

DeAnneLeave a comment

Open Earth CoverI was very excited to get approved for this title on NetGalley as I had heard a ton of positive hype about it.  Thanks to Oni Press for approving me.  This graphic novel, written by Sarah Mirk and illustrated by Eva Cabrera and Claudia Aquirre, explores relationships and emotions aboard a space station.  It centers around a young woman who is learning how to navigate her love life and what love and physical relationships really are in her life.

Be warned, there are plenty of references to sex and visuals of sex, so if that isn’t your thing then this graphic novel will not be for you.  There are many discussions about different types of relationships.  The teenagers on this space station are very open and accepting with their sexuality, which was refreshing to see.  At the same time, this book has some deeper commentary in it that were welcome and great discussion points.

The art style was rich and vibrant.  It draws you in with the detail and saturated colors while still being fun and easy on the eyes. Settings and characters were instantly recognizable and unique.

I would definitely read more from this team, whether in the same series or with different stories.  This graphic novel comes out on September 25th and would be a great addition to anyone’s library or collection. You can check it out on Goodreads or order your own copy on Amazon.

Happy reading!