There's a line from the Acknowledgements from P. Djèlí Clark that's worth repeating: "Thanks also to the NOPD who pressed a loaded pistol to the back There's a line from the Acknowledgements from P. Djèlí Clark that's worth repeating: "Thanks also to the NOPD who pressed a loaded pistol to the back of my head as I lay facedown on a posh French Quarter hotel floor in case of 'mistaken identity' - you introduced me to the city too."
One of the reasons why the fantasy genre will continue to be relevant and valuable is how our real, lived experiences bleed into the stories and provide different perspectives on issues we've heard about a thousand times before. Along with racial inequality, this book also did that with the topic of slavery and colonization in an alternate steampunk New Orleans.
Clark did a fantastic job of establishing a world similar but very different to our own history in a very short time without infodumping. I enjoyed the many distinct voices and Creeper's unrelenting stubbornness. I could easily spend another book's worth of time with the cast of characters or just enjoying the setting; the lovely, free chaos of Shá Rouj and the gritty, crowded streets of the city. Above all, I absolutely want to see Creeper living on that airship. I love her dynamic with the Captain and I hope there will be more in the future....more
Ugh, this series... it makes me feel things. So many things.
Also, can we please talk about the art?! For fuck's sake, the detail is astounding and theUgh, this series... it makes me feel things. So many things.
Also, can we please talk about the art?! For fuck's sake, the detail is astounding and the style is so unique and gorgeous and I have had my jaw drop at least once every volume. 10/10, it's definitely making it impossible for me to flip pages madly because I'm too busy gawking at the Mud Whale's new-
Well. That's too much a spoiler to write out and I'm too lazy to format on mobile. Anyway. I'm far too invested in these people (especially Ouni, who still has my heart) and the art and the story so onto the next I go. I can only hope to retain my sanity because the plot is really starting to go places now....more
**spoiler alert** It's been a long, long time since I've cried over a character death and I still haven't fucking forgiven the author for it. It's tha**spoiler alert** It's been a long, long time since I've cried over a character death and I still haven't fucking forgiven the author for it. It's that kind of death that throwing the book away doesn't help because you keep thinking about it every few hours and it hits like a sucker punch all over again. Ouni's my favourite and I just... Ugh. He wouldn't appreciate a hug, but dammit, Chakuro better do it anyways because this is going to be a horrible formative event in his life and he won't even have Nibi by his side to keep him steady. Ugh, I gotta stop or I'll start crying again.
Sufficed to say, I adore these characters and the the world and art are gorgeously creative. The message about emotions also hits hard. Love this manga....more
**spoiler alert** So, fairy tale retellings aren't usually my thing, so bare that in mind with this rating. I do, however, like queerness, so the lesb**spoiler alert** So, fairy tale retellings aren't usually my thing, so bare that in mind with this rating. I do, however, like queerness, so the lesbian aspect drew me in. I did like the romance, and the writing was good but not brilliant for my tastes. The descriptions of Winter and cold were exceptionally well done, enough so that bitter Canadian Januarys were fresh and clear in my mind while lounging on a park bench in 20°C full Sun. I would've preferred much more time with Rowan and the Huntress after they fell for each other and admitted their feelings. That part of their relationship was so crucial and it felt a little rushed over. Same thing with Rowan becoming an exceptional outdoors person - I wanted to see more of her learning. A little thing, but I also wasn't a huge fan of the choice of making Rowan's voice in 1st person POV and the Huntress 3rd person. It was a little jarring to switch between. The ending also felt a little rushed. The writing itself was very compelling though, I got through this pretty quickly and was locked in whenever I was reading. The Huntress as a character was very interesting too. I felt for her and loved the way she treated the animals and nature around her.
This did fall into the same problem I have with every fairy tale retelling - you basically already know what's going to happen, and that took away a lot of suspense for me. Retellings sometimes just make me impatient, like 'yes, okay, I know this big, now where is this next part going to show up?' and it takes me out of the story I'm reading. This isn't the author's fault of course, it's just part of why this isn't getting a higher rating from me.
Overall, if you like fairytale retellings and lesbian romance, this is 100% for you. I've already thrown it on my sister, so fingers crossed she can appreciate this even more than I did....more
Ugh I love this world and I adore these characters and nothing more that's bad is allowed to happen to them. I said so.
...a lot more bad stuff is goiUgh I love this world and I adore these characters and nothing more that's bad is allowed to happen to them. I said so.
...a lot more bad stuff is going to happen, isn't it?
Sidenote: I'm getting a little obsessed with Ouni. His character is so interesting.
The artwork continues to be astounding. Regularly I just stop and gawk at the imagery. It's creative and gorgeous and I want it on my wall. I couldn't imagine this with colour, not that it feels at all lacking in B&W. Worth the read for the art alone....more
So, this was fun and queer and very, very campy - which was exactly the vibe the creators were going for. My favourite thing was this was made by an eSo, this was fun and queer and very, very campy - which was exactly the vibe the creators were going for. My favourite thing was this was made by an entirely queer group. Beautiful, love it, let's see more of that. Also more of this art; it was super bright and great style and definitely a highlight. The story was fun, but that's kinda it.
Overall this was an entertaining read about queer people made by queer people featuring a ton of ass kicking and aliens and unashamed explicit queer love. Not a favourite or anything but still great fun....more
I really love the world, and the art is beautiful too. In particular those panels showing the cricket migration were absolutely breathtaking. The charI really love the world, and the art is beautiful too. In particular those panels showing the cricket migration were absolutely breathtaking. The characters are intriguing and I'm very interested to see how they evolve and interact with each other.
Also: no spoilers, but I did not see that ending coming, holy shit. It hadn't really been that sort of story but that event really made an impact with how much the characters' adoration for the Mud Whale made me protective of it too. Don't know exactly where we go from here, but I'm into it....more
This was just okay for me, but it got me out of a little reading slump, so obviously I am eternally grateful. Lots and lots of action (mayb<2.5 stars
This was just okay for me, but it got me out of a little reading slump, so obviously I am eternally grateful. Lots and lots of action (maybe too much of it for my personal tastes), alien enemies, science experiments turned torture, AIs, general space chaos, and some weird time stuff playing a factor. Oh, also a lot of alien robot tentacles toward the end there - but not like that though, get your mind outta the gutter, jeez....more
I, uh, probably shouldn't have jumped into the series mid-way, eh? Whatever. So MY Fenris is happily travelling Thedas with my Hawke, trying 3.5 stars
I, uh, probably shouldn't have jumped into the series mid-way, eh? Whatever. So MY Fenris is happily travelling Thedas with my Hawke, trying and failing to hide just how madly in love he is in between saving the world and killing blood mages after a successful(ish) ordeal at Kirkwall while on good terms with nearly all of his new friends made before said Kirkwall ordeal, so this book fucks with my canon right off the bat. Therefore, really, none of this happened and this is just an alternate universe thing. That's a fact. Because I said so.
With that mentality, I began the book and almost immediately decided I'd go back and start the series from the beginning. I finished it though, and enjoyed the characters and world. Though even with more context, I hated the abrupt flipping around from storylines without warning or sufficient visual cues. I found it incredibly confusing.
I've already started this series from the beginning, so the plan is to do a re-read and come back for a more full review. Fingers crossed....more
These DA graphic novels are gold. The art is phenomenal; beautiful style, excellent expressions, deep and vibrant colours, and great backdrops.
I realThese DA graphic novels are gold. The art is phenomenal; beautiful style, excellent expressions, deep and vibrant colours, and great backdrops.
I really liked Vaea's character. She's a real life elven Robin Hood with guts, smarts, and skill. She's the Rogue I always say I'll be and never have the patience to actually execute and instead running into battle daggers waving killing the first demon I come across without properly looking around.
Our drunk and story-telling travelling Knight Sir Hawthorne didn't grab my heart in the same way, but I really came around at the end. (view spoiler)[I pretty much melted when he said he'd always known of Vaea's, uh, extracurricular activities and supported her. His speech at the end sealed the deal. Partners!! Aww. His flask being thrown away was great too. (hide spoiler)]
I like that so much of the new stories are carried by new characters but we'll still regularly see a familiar face from the game. We saw a ton of Varric in this one, which is always a win. That smooth-talking novel-writing dwarf won my heart with his loyalty and heart in DA2 and again in DA:I. Oh the other hand, I didn't have the DLC for Sebastien, so I don't "know him personally", so to speak. He definitely sounded like the slightly uptight Chantry loving mage I've heard of. Canon characters from games are treated very well here. Also love seeing characters from the last graphic novel too, and the not so subtle Charter romance callback. Vaea mistaking who her lover was had me rolling. I definitely ship it.
Last thing: these books have really made my enjoyment of playing DA:I even greater because as I'm doing War Table missions or just interacting with NPCs I have a more full vision of this world and things going on behind the scenes across Thedas.
I don't think the next book was received as well, but I'm going into it hoping for the same excellence because so far it's been a pretty fantastic ride....more
So, Dragon Age 2 is probably my favourite game of all time (Tied with Kingdoms of Amalur: ReReckoning). I've never read any tie-in material despite thSo, Dragon Age 2 is probably my favourite game of all time (Tied with Kingdoms of Amalur: ReReckoning). I've never read any tie-in material despite there being several options until lately, and this right here is exactly everything I hoped it would be. The gorgeous immersive art, the characters who just stole my heart and made me wish they were companions, the plot that dances nicely with that of DA: Inquisition... Also, freaking Dorian makes an appearance!! And actually looks and talks likes freaking Dorian! More on him later.
Our non-game characters were perfect; sympathetic yet brutally capable, broken yet bonded together through everything, snarky as all Hell vs barely speaking a word. They worked really, really well, and by the end of it all I adored them like I'd played with them for hours. Tessa speaking for Marius never got old, same thing for her reading Varric's books (which are still wonderful trash, apparently). The brief romance we got with Tessa also was lovely, and it was refreshing to keep her and Marius platonic. Made their bond stronger, I think.
The game characters showing up made everything feel very canon. Dorian was my Inquisitor's romance (I originally planned for Cassandra, but then I met the mage and my choice was basically made for me) so yeah, I've got a soft spot for the man. When he showed up I just about made an embarrassing audible noise on an otherwise very quiet bus, but I contained myself. Also loved seeing Leliana, who would've been my Warden's romance if I hadn't have royally fucked up that playthrough in DA: O. Also an appearance by Scout Harding, who I also love, and Sutherland, who you can pick up through War table missions.
It was so damn amazing to see Skyhold and hear the locations I've played in mentioned and used. It adds another layer when enemies appear and I can immediately go "ah, Rage demons, better start using some Winter abilities" or guess what they'll have to face based on the location and what went down when I played there. Tie-in material is great, is what I mean I guess.
I always feel unequipped to discuss what I feel is phenomenal artwork, but sufficed to say I adored flipping every page and being immersed in it all. The colours, expressions, magic, fashion, creatures, and especially the landscapes were just breathtaking. Outstanding work.
So yeah. Screw five. Let's use 10. Ten. Dix. The double-digit number that comes after nine. 10 shining stars, ugh. What a gem. ...more
I almost wish I'd read this in October because the dark foreboding atmosphere was off the charts. I love the concept of a spectral train (because obviI almost wish I'd read this in October because the dark foreboding atmosphere was off the charts. I love the concept of a spectral train (because obviously I do) and I enjoyed the stories from across Canada's history. This was admittedly incredibly depressing, but the art was stunning and unique....more
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