A copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
I loved everything about this graphic novel. Review also posted @ Go Book Yourself
A copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
I loved everything about this graphic novel. It was brilliant!. I haven't read NOS4A2 so I thought this would be a good introduction to Charlie Manx and his world.
3 prisoners are being transferred when they decide that this would be the perfect time to escape. However everything doesn't go exactly as planned and they end up stranded in the middle of nowhere. Not to worry though. One of them has a favor to call in from Charlie Manx. He has a knack for making people disappear..
Charlie takes them to Christmas land. The land where all of expectations and broken promises of his youth are undone. A place where all the wrongs are righted. Here Charlie and his children are happy. Here they will never be tricked or humiliated...They rule this world. Here he and his children are free to frolic and play delightfully gruesome games such as "scissors for the drifter."
The problem is that there is only one way in and out of Christmas land. The wraith holds the key to Christmas land and Charlie holds the key to the wraith.
What follows is nothing short of a bloodbath! The Story comes full circle in an ending which could easily stand on its own as a separate story.
I loved the artwork. It was just as prominent ( if not more so) than the text. The erratic use of line and limited color palate really added to the creep factor.
This is certainly a must for all Horror fans. I can't wait to get into NOS4A2 now! ...more
The Edge Chronicles: The Nameless one was provided by Doubleday in return for an honest review
I almost crapped my pants when I clicked on the g3.5/5
The Edge Chronicles: The Nameless one was provided by Doubleday in return for an honest review
I almost crapped my pants when I clicked on the goodreads email that said Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell were working on The Edge Chronicles again. These books are my Harry Potter. I've been reading them since I was a teen and I credit Beyond the Deepwoods for turning me into a regular reader.
When I first opened the book my reaction was: "What the fuck happened to The Edge!!" Que much googling. I eventually found out that there is an Edge book that I havent read. The Immortals. How this happened is beyond me!
It turns out that The Nameless one is set hundreds of years into the future. Sanctaphrax is now an ancient ruin! I really need to read that book!!
Moving on....
So In The Nameless One we meet Cade Quarter. Nephew of the infamous decender Nate Quarter. He is about to become a stow away on the Xanth Filatine. The starting few chapters are were really promising. Lots of interesting characters and potentially interesting plot lines. After Cade escapes the sky ship the book rapidly went downhill for me.
Many threads of storylines were picked up and dumped. I know this is the first book in a trilogy but it still needs to be able to stand on its own like Beyond the Deepwoods did. The other characters in previous series all begin exciting journeys and adventures. Cade builds a house. Twig encountered numerous horrors in the twilight woods. Cade gets rained on and rides around on a prowlgrin.
The books namesake, or nameless-sake in this case only turns up for the last few pages and at that stage it just felt like something tacked on to try to keep the long time fans. It just felt a little irrelevant.
The Nameless One tried hard to capture the original magic of the Deepwoods but it wan't quite as successful.
This review may seem quite harsh but I would still recommend it to readers looking for a new series to get into. I know Cade will more than likely come into his own in the second book. I also sometimes forget that I'm not 12 years old anymore and these books are not marketed for me! However I will still be waiting for the next one with the impatience of a 5 year old so that sort of balances things out ;)
Anyone who reads my reviews regularly will know that I can be quite hard on these blog to book transitions. I usually can't see the point.
The difference with Hyperbole and a Half is the Allie Brosh can actually write. Her stories and illustrations may, at first, seem juvenile but to pass them over would be an affront to comedy. The tales from her childhood are extremely well structured. The hilarity of the situations is really just a plus. I think Allie would be capable of writing about anything.
What really makes Hyperbole and a half appealing is Allie herself. Her childhood stories are very relatable. Most people would be able to think of similar happening in their own lives. As for me, I found her explanation of depression and it's effects to be one of the most accurate I've ever read! Anyone who's ever suffered from depression will note themselves nodding, then laughing and then feeling guilty (sorry Allie!)
I have been a follower of her blog for quite a while so a lot of the stories weren't new to me. This really doesn't matter though. The humour is timeless and her stories never get old no matter how many times you read them.The only problem was that it wasn't long enough. It never would be. I could read her stories all day.
If you are new to Allie Brosh then be prepared to literally laugh out loud. ...more
Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse was provided free of charge by The Book Depository in return for an honest review.
I was on Goth Girl like a magpie!Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse was provided free of charge by The Book Depository in return for an honest review.
I was on Goth Girl like a magpie!. I was immediately drawn to it when I saw it. It's so beautiful and shiny! There was as much thought put into the design of the book itself as the story.
I have been a fan of Paul Stuart and Chris Riddell since the original Twig novels were published. Beyond the Deepwoods drew me in and then I was hooked for life!
Now for the book itself. Ada Goth lives with her father in the sprawling Gastly-Gorm Hall. She spends the majority of her time alone. Her father avoids her as she reminds him of his deceased wife. So much so that she must wear big plodding boots around the house so that he can hear her approaching. He limits his time with her to once a week for tea.
One night Ada meets the ghost of a mouse called Ishmael. He was caught in a mouse trap and now fears he will spend eternity floating around Ghastly Ghorm Hall. Something is keeping him from moving on but he can't remember what. Ada is determined to help him.
As this is a Chris Riddell novel you can expect the most wonderful character designs and illustrations. Each page is a feast for the eyes.
[image]
Even though the characters are quirky I still found them very relatable. Ada lives in very strange surroundings but suffers from the same woes as many children. She has few friends and feels alienated. As she meets the younger servants of the house she learns that status doesn't need to get in the way of friendship.
I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love this book. The illustrations will entice adults and children. This book would be a great start for anyone wanting to introduce a kid to reading as there will be something for both to enjoy.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review
Joe was always a good cop. When a little girl is raped and murdered he becomes obse An ARC was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review
Joe was always a good cop. When a little girl is raped and murdered he becomes obsessed with finding her killer. This young victim becomes his life and Joe begins to forget about the living. Mainly his wife and daughters.
Years later, alone with his obsession the ghost of a young girl young girl accompanied by a crow appears. Joe has studied the evidence for years and years. He know the answer is there somewhere. Curare shows that often we need a fresh view on things before we really see what's going on. Sometimes the eye sdoesn't see what's right in front of them. In this case it's what's not there is the clue to cracking the case and releasing him from his personal demons.
The illustrations are incredible. They are scrawled, random, full of tension and anger which reflect the emotions portrayed by Salk. My only critique is that it's a little short. I would have loved more characters and possibly a plot twist/turn.
However I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good murder/mystery graphic novel. You won't be disappointed.
Confession. This is not really a review. Why is that you say? Well, its because I have no idea what this book is actually about. I couldn't even find Confession. This is not really a review. Why is that you say? Well, its because I have no idea what this book is actually about. I couldn't even find a freakin synopsis! Here is my makey upy one:
The story begins with a "creature" floating in the sky. I had first thought that this creature may have been the bird on the cover but it doesn't make an appearance so obviously not. The creature begins to fall through the air . At this point I'm thinking it's the sun because of the effects it has on the clouds:
"The clouds grew pink and gold; its knees were level with the evening tree's"
It then proceeds to enter the house, scaring the maid in the middle of the night. A metaphor for darkness perhaps? Who knows....
It continues down the stairs to the third floor to the urn and into the basement where it shall not be seen anymore. aaaaaaand .......that's it.
Confusing is Edward Gorey's middle name. If you have read this short story and have been able to find meaning in it then please enlighten us all!
I have been a fan of Stewart & Riddell since my early teenage years when I feel in love with the characters and creatures in The Edge Chronicles. So wI have been a fan of Stewart & Riddell since my early teenage years when I feel in love with the characters and creatures in The Edge Chronicles. So when I saw this on Netgalley I nearly brokemy mouse bashing the request button :D
It's a tale of kith and kin, friends and foe to the dragon like creatures who inhabit the WyrmeWeald. kin are soul mates to their fire breathing counter parts. When the dragon sheds its first skin the kin will wear it like a second skin that provides a shield against the sharpest arrow. Together they defend their world against a common enemy.
The kith see the Wyrmes as nothing more than cash cows (or dragons). They slaughter them and harvest their valuable bones and organs to be sold to market.
People from the towns and villages undertake excursions to the plains in hope of securing a returners wealth to live in luxury for the rest of there lives. That prize however, is reserved for the few who actually return alive.
I didn't find this story as engaging as The Edge Chronicles but that may be because these stories are just not aimed at my genre any more ( Stupid aging!) . It was nice to see a strong willed female in a YA story. I'm tired of pre-pubescent girls fawning over not so dangerous paranormal creatures. *Rolls eyes*
One thing which really disappointed me was the lack of illustrations. I remember drooling over the many illustrations dotted through The Edge Chronicles. Here the reader has to make do with a strip down the right hand side at the start of each chapter :(. The illustrations of each species of dragon are amazing though.
[image]
Despite my whining about the lack of artwork I would still recommend this book. It will appeal to male and female readers both young and old (er).
When I turned the first page of this little novel I thought " Wow an Edward Gorey that's not entirely disturbing". I was envisioning a cuddly that hadWhen I turned the first page of this little novel I thought " Wow an Edward Gorey that's not entirely disturbing". I was envisioning a cuddly that had come to fill these children's lives with Joy. Then hell froze over and pigs flew...
The Wuggly Ump is actually a rather large fellow with jagged teeth that likes to snack on umbrella's, doorknobs...and children. I don't really understand why a creature that likes to eat inanimate objects would suddenly have a craving for flesh of young humans but whatever.
Meanwhile a group of children are playing merrily in the fields, weaving daisy chains and generally enjoying life. However we all know that in Edward Gorey's world children are not permitted to live a long happy life so along comes the Wuggly Ump to devour them whole.
I'm not entirley sure what the moral of this story is but I think it's that if you're a kid who behaves, eats all your dinner and say your prayers before bedtime a hideous monster will arrive at your front door and eat you. So behave like a little tyrant and everything will turn out OK.
Or perhaps it's that life can and will fuck you over no matter how well behaved you are....
An ARC was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review
I really need to start reading more graphic novels agaThis is out in the UK today!!
An ARC was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review
I really need to start reading more graphic novels again. This was amazing. Every frame is like one of Annie's snapshots. The reach into souls of these characters, showing us a split second of their very lives.
The characters in Bad Houses are all very different from each other. We have a hoarder and her socially awkward daughter, A prescription drug addict and a carer. All unique personalities bound by the home town they grew up in.
Every house has secrets and alot of the houses in Failin are dying. Some are full of hidden gems and some are just Bad Houses. Houses that have been destroyed by fire, time or some other unfortunate incident. This is where Lewis and his mother come in. It's is their job to sort threw the many secrets these houses hold. As secrets are revealed Lewis and Annie find comfort in each other. They come to realise that it is up to each individual to stop the bitter Failin rot from affecting another generation.
The author did a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the stories of these people. Each felt like it had a past and future, that the actions within had real meaningful consequences for each character that expand beyond the pages.
Carla's illustrations are spectacular and really help bring a feeling of movement to the story. Each frame is carefully composed and great though was put into what emotions the characters were trying to portray. Illustration can never cover up bad story telling. Here the two work wonderfully together to create this coming of age story.
In the west wing Gorey tells 30 individual stories through 30 captivating illustrations. With each frame comes the question, why?
Why is this man lyingIn the west wing Gorey tells 30 individual stories through 30 captivating illustrations. With each frame comes the question, why?
Why is this man lying on the floor?
[image]
Why are there only 3 shoes scattered on the floor? Why is that rock on the table and so on, so forth.
I spent an age studying each illustration looking for clues that would give an answer. Alas Gorey is the master of mystery. It is up to the imagination to decide the outcome.
The West Wing wasn't one of my favourites but again the mysterious illustrations make it worth a view.
"Oh what has become of Millicent Frastley? Is there any hope that she's still alive? Why haven't they found her? It's rather ghastly To think that the ch"Oh what has become of Millicent Frastley? Is there any hope that she's still alive? Why haven't they found her? It's rather ghastly To think that the child was not yet five"
We all tell children that they shouldn't take candy from strangers right? The problem is children don't always listen and when your 5, going for a drive with a nice man really doesn't sound that terrifying.
A more effective method would be to have them read this tale.
Poor little Millicent is happily minding her own business and nibbling some grass in the park (as you do). As darkness creeps in a stranger pulls up and offers Millicent a cinnamon ball. As her greedy little fingers move to fish one out she is snatched and taken away to a strange land where she is stripped naked, bundled into a pod and offered as a sacrifice to the Insect God.
So the next time you need to lecture little Billy or Mary on stranger danger forget about strangers. Tell them that they will be taken away and sacrificed to this :
A is an alphabet of a different kind B is for bears and the victims they find. C is for child with an ill gotten fate, D is for death with 26 dates.
26 leA is an alphabet of a different kind B is for bears and the victims they find. C is for child with an ill gotten fate, D is for death with 26 dates.
26 letters, 26 unusual and cruel deaths all beautifully illustrated in pen & ink. Not for the easily offended.
If Florence and Emily from Little Britain were to write a pornography, this would be it.
[image]
"But we are laaaaaaaadies and we must read laaaaadies pIf Florence and Emily from Little Britain were to write a pornography, this would be it.
[image]
"But we are laaaaaaaadies and we must read laaaaadies pornography you see"
Finally, an Edward Gorey tale that is not wrist slittingly depressing! The men are all extraordinarily something or other and the women free from all inhibitions. This is a deliciously demented read. However nothing is revealed or shown in the drawings. It is up the reader to see between the lines and outside the frames of the illustrations. Of course it wouldn't be Gorey if the characters didn't meet a grisly confusing end..
The Fatal lozenge, otherwise known as the A to Z of death for fucked up children by Edward Gorey. Sorry Billy. A doesn't stand for apple any more. It The Fatal lozenge, otherwise known as the A to Z of death for fucked up children by Edward Gorey. Sorry Billy. A doesn't stand for apple any more. It stands for apparition. That's right billy, "You see dead people!"
D is no longer for dogs. D is for the drudge who mops the floors until she dies. The death continues until you get to Z. Or until you get so depressed that you just can't read on any more. If you are plagued by annoying whiney spoiled kids, give them this book before bedtime.
A nice, if not slightly racist story of group of Colourful bugs that live in tea cups and bottles. They have parties and get togethers and just generaA nice, if not slightly racist story of group of Colourful bugs that live in tea cups and bottles. They have parties and get togethers and just generally enjoy being bugs. That is, until one day a huge ass black bug shows up to cause havoc by separating and alienating the little communities.
[image]
They try (not very hard) to reason with the black bug, without success. So the bugs think to themselves "fuck this shit lads we need to get rid of bugger". They concoct a cunning plan squash the life out of the poor black bug and leave him for the 5 o clock post.....Sicko's.
A seemingly random series of unrelated events: A man missing his artificial limb, ghosts, suicide and b*Warning: This book will make you feel stupid.*
A seemingly random series of unrelated events: A man missing his artificial limb, ghosts, suicide and black umbrella's.
I read it, I didn't get it. I read it again, I still didn't get it. I read it 5 more times and guess what? I still didn't get it. I feel like I'm missing some inside joke that everyone but me understands!
It reminds me of that episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" where Francis stares at the totem pole for days trying to figure out what it means.
The pen and ink drawings are just as appealing but this story lacks the droll humour that usually features in his stories.
This has definitely been my favourite in the Edward Gorey series so far. I agree with other readers that say this comic is a metaphor for life with chThis has definitely been my favourite in the Edward Gorey series so far. I agree with other readers that say this comic is a metaphor for life with children.
This weird hipster dark penguin type character shows up wearing a scarf ,white canvas shoes an is intent on causing havoc. He listens to no one, gets in the way, hides the bath towels, throws stuff in the pond and rips up books! He stays for 17 years and still shows no sign of leaving. Sound familiar to any parents out there??
I adored the droll humour and beautiful pen and ink drawings in The Unstrung Harp. I smiled while reading this but then a growing sense of unease crepI adored the droll humour and beautiful pen and ink drawings in The Unstrung Harp. I smiled while reading this but then a growing sense of unease crept in as I felt a wave of familiarity with this story.
Mr Earbass is the voice in your that tells you to just type one more sentence, to just paint one more stroke or to just finish this chapter. Then you raise your head and realise that, that was 4 hours ago.
He is the niggling voice that reminds you of something long ago that you cannot quite remember, but will not let you rest until the puzzle is solved.
He is the doubt, the voice that try's to convince you that you cannot do this, you will not succeed.
This tale is not for everyone but will appeal to those who are familiar with the creative process .
Loading...
