Friday, February 28, 2014

A Boy and a Girl

A Boy and a Girl

author: Jamie S. Rich

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.82

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/28

date added: 2014/02/28

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Boy meets girl. Boy doesn't get girl's name. Boy finds girl again. Girl is leaving town tomorrow morning. It sounds pretty standard, but the setting is the future when along with people there are lifelike androids.



Travis and Charley have just met and they like each other. Charley is leaving on assignment in the morning. Travis just wants to get to know her before she leaves. They are both hiding something from each other. Travis sells term papers and he's being hunted by Russian gangsters. Charley may actually be one of the lifelike androids.



It all feels like a wacky comedy from the 80s mixed up with Richard Linklater's film Before Sunrise. There is madcap comedy and escapes, and there are sweet moments where two people are just learning about each other. It's fun and sweet.



I was given a review copy by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Villain Micro-Series Volume 1 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Villain Micro-Series Volume 1 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series)

author: Joshua Williamson

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.09

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/27

date added: 2014/02/27

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Villain Microseries Volume 1, collects 4 issues that tell the back story to some of the turtle's foes. An issue each is devoted to Krang, Baxter Stockman, Old Hob and Alopex. Three of the stories are tenuously linked, the fourth one is not.



We learn about Krang's conquest and the history of the body he uses. We learn how Baxter Stockman works for Krang, and wants to overthrow him. We learn how Old Hob went to Baxter for help and ended up being used by him. They all hate the turtles, but they all hate each other as well. The fourth story is about mutant fox, Alopex and his dealings with Shredder.



They are all standalone, with very little crossover, so it's not a cohesive story, but it is interesting to learn about some of these villains. I'm not sure I knew much back story about a couple of them. Recommended for turtle fans, and I like the direction that IDW has taken with the newer turtle universe.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Big Fat Beautiful Head

Big Fat Beautiful Head

author: Stu Heinecke

name: Wayne

average rating: 1.00

book published: 1

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/26

date added: 2014/02/26

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Stu Heinecke is an author, cartoonist and marketer whose cartoons appear regularly in The Wall Street Journal. Big, Fat Beautiful Head is a collection of 50 of his comics with a short bit of creator commentary to explain where the idea came from.



It's a fairly short book. The commentaries are about a paragraph, and the cartoons are all one panel. At 122 pages, it makes for a pretty quick read.



But the treatment is really good. It's nice to have the artist's insight into the creative process, and the cartoon's are presented simply and cleanly.



I was provided a review copy of the book by CartoonLink, Inc. and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Old City Blues Volume 2

Old City Blues Volume 2

author: Giannis Milonogiannis

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.43

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/25

date added: 2014/02/25

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Old City Blues Volume 2 by Giannis Milonogiannis feels like a reprint from the 90s. It's got a retro cyberpunk feel that throws me right back into those days, but it's a new series that harkens back to the comics and stories of that time.



The story takes place in New Athens which is built on the country once known as Greece. Solano is a hard-hitting cop who is harder on sleek patrol cars. He has a crew of Espers and computer hackers helping him stop crime. The enemies are high tech criminals using robots and cybersuits. There are corrupt criminals, corrupt cops, mech smugglers and drug dealers. Standing in their way is Solano.



Volume 2 contains two story arcs. The art is black and white, but has a lot of cross hatching and textures to it, so it's a bit busy and sometimes hard to figure out what is going on. I liked it and it made me feel nostalgic and want to find my old William Gibson novels.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Monday, February 24, 2014

City of Light, City of Dark (Orchard Paperbacks)

City of Light, City of Dark (Orchard Paperbacks)

author: Avi

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.44

book published: 1993

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/24

date added: 2014/02/24

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

This is a reprint of a 1993 graphic novel by Avi. It involves a kidnapped girl, a blind schemer who talks to pigeons and a mysterious subway token.



In a preface that is more text than pictures, we learn about the creatures that supply power to the city of New York, the Kurbs. In a sort of game they hide a token in the city that must be found and returned to the Kurbs, or they turn off power to the city. A scheming man named Underton attempts to steal the token and ends up blinded. The story then begins years later when a young boy finds the token. He is pursued by Underton, a young girl named Sarah and Sarah's mother, who has been looking for the token and Sarah for years.



There are the mysterious discoveries around the token, a hair-raising flight over the streets of New York, and the possibility that the Kurbs won't get the token back and put the city into a deep freeze. I liked it, and the art was good, but Sarah and her mother look a bit alike and it's easy to get them confused.



I was given a copy of this graphic novel by Scholastic and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Star Wars: Legacy II, Vol. 1: Prisoner of the Floating World

Star Wars: Legacy II, Vol. 1: Prisoner of the Floating World

author: Corinna Sara Bechko

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.80

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/23

date added: 2014/02/23

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Star Wars: Legacy II, Volume 1: Prisoner of the Floating World takes place about one hundred and thirty eight years after Star Wars: A New Hope. It stars Ania Solo, a young girl, who has an assassin droid for a companion and has found herself a bit of trouble.



When Ania finds a lightsaber and a broken communication droid, she suddenly finds herself being pursued by someone looking for the missing items. There is a mystery to unravel, and Ania seems to have some of the traits of her great grandfather Han Solo as she seems to embrace the kind of chaos that this adventure throws her in. I found her to be a good character and I wouldn't mind reading more stories starring her.



I've read a few of these spinoff graphic novels, and while some have left me a bit cold, I enjoyed this one. The story is good, the art is quite nice. I enjoyed it.



I was given a copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Burgess Boys

The Burgess Boys

author: Elizabeth Strout

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.51

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/22

date added: 2014/02/22

shelves:

review:

Jim and Bob Burgess remain victims of the accident that took their father's life. The accident affects Bob's twin sister Susan. She stayed in their hometown in Maine, but Bob and Jim left for New York City and law careers, and not wanting to look back at their past.



They are pulled back to Maine when their nephew commits what seems like an unspeakable hate act against a group of Somalian refugees. Themes of family loyalty, the guilty secrets we keep and the wrecked relationships we drag along behind us all surface. Susan is a single parent raising a son who is checked out. Bob has a broken marriage and is heading towards alcoholism. Jim is the most successful, but he's far from a happy person. In fact, Jim is really kind of a jerk.



The book definitely went in unpredicted directions, but when it was all said and done, I'm not sure I really cared. I kind of wish it had gone more the direction I thought it might, even if that had been more standard and predictable (and I can't believe I'm saying that). It's well written book and I look forward to reading more by Elizabeth Strout.



I was given a review copy of this book by Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.









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Friday, February 21, 2014

The Cage

The Cage

author: Martin Vaughn-James

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.47

book published: 1975

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/21

date added: 2014/02/21

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

The Cage is a strange and unique book. It has been called the first graphic novel, and while there are pictures on every page, the story it tells defies easy description. There is text that goes along with the story. Sometimes it describes what the viewer is seeing, and sometimes not.



The whole thing takes place in what seems to be an abandoned building with a cage in it. Objects float in the space, bricks are decaying, objects appear and disappear between frames. It appears to be a prison or interrogation room of sorts. Rags are tied in the approximation of the human figure. There are no living things in any of the pictures. Time seems to move in both directions. Descriptions are descriptive and vague. No explanation is given as to what happened here. Everything is left for the reader to interpret.



It's an interesting experiment that still works 40 years later. It still puzzles and intrigues. It has an avant-garde quality that pulls the reader in. I really liked it.



I was given a review copy of this unique graphic novel by Coach House Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Candidate: A Luxembourg Thriller

The Candidate: A Luxembourg Thriller

author: Daniel Pembrey

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.61

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/19

date added: 2014/02/19

shelves:

review:

The Candidate is a short work, but manages to pack a lot into a short number of pages. It has an abrupt ending makes it seem like either part of a larger work or a substory for another book.



Nick Thorneycroft is a headhunter for an international corporation in Luxembourg. He wakes up one morning with no memory of the night before, but an interesting reminder. While trying to figure that out, he is tasked by his company to interview an intriguing new candidate. Things spiral into more intrigue as Nick is kidnapped and questioned, beaten and left with nothing but questions. Before the end of the story, he may find out things he wished he hadn't.



The story is filled with some interesting characters and makes me wonder what kind of quirky people might inhabit Luxembourg. I liked the story and level of suspense from this newer author. My only complaint is of the abrupt stop the novel makes. I kept turning pages wondering where the rest of the story is. Maybe the point was to make me want more. I still recommend it for anyone looking for a new corporate thriller.



I was given a review copy of this book by the author, Daniel Pembrey, and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this intriguing new novel.





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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story

The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story

author: Vivek Tiwary

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.10

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/18

date added: 2014/02/18

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

The Fifth Beatle is a graphic novel about Brian Epstein and how he became the manager of The Beatles. It's told at times in a surreal fashion, and there is even a character that may or may not have even existed. This is told in an afterword of the book by Vivek Tiwary, who weaves an interesting story about a man that so few no much about.



Brian Epstein was from wealth, and this allowed him the ability to find this band and help boost them into legendary status. By promoting singles, and even buying large numbers of them to help promote them. By creating the clean cut look of the early band and by just believing in what they could do. Brian was also gay in a time when that was taboo. There are secret meetings and affairs, even a hinted at dalliance with John Lennon. And there are the prescription narcotics that Brian used, and abused, and which ultimately led to his fate.



It's told so well, and the art by Andrew C. Robinson is absolutely gorgeous, transporting the reader right back to the 1960s from the opening panels of a rainy, gloomy Liverpool, right through to the end of The Beatles as a band. Of interesting note is the strange adventure the band had touring the Philippines, which was a horrible adventure. It's told here in a similar style to the old Beatles cartoon series. Good story, great art, and I'm glad I got to read it.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





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Monday, February 17, 2014

Star Trek Volume 6: After Darkness

Star Trek Volume 6: After Darkness

author: Mike Johnson

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.31

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/17

date added: 2014/02/17

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Star Trek Volume 6: After Darkness takes place after the events in the movie Star Trek: Into Darkness. The Klingons are out to avenge themselves against Captain Kirk, but that plot is in the background for these issues.



Of bigger concern is what to do with a Vulcan going through Pon Farr. Since the planet Vulcan no longer exists and Spock is compelled to return there, how do you solve that?



It's a reimagining of the classic episode 'Amok Time' and it kind of tends to founder a bit. There is also a backup story featuring Kirk and the Gorn that is too quickly resolved.



The art is pretty good and it's nice to see these reboot characters featured in ongoing stories, but it was just mildly satisfying.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.





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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Mark Waid's The Green Hornet, Volume 1

Mark Waid's The Green Hornet, Volume 1

author: Mark Waid

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.10

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/16

date added: 2014/02/16

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Mark Waid's Green Hornet takes the pulp hero in interesting directions. Green Hornet pretends to be a criminal, and backs that up with apparent violent acts, threats, and bribes. In truth, the information gained is used against the criminals as Green Hornet and Cato fight crime.



When a crazed bomber threatens the city, the Green Hornet attempts to find him and stop him before he strikes again. The choices made by the Green Hornet, including what looks like the accusation of an innocent man, seem to be driven by ego. These choices drive Kato to leave and the Green Hornet is headed for a major fall. Can he recover everything in time to stop the real bomber?



It's a gritty story, and I really liked it. It has shades of Citizen Kane. Also, presenting the Hornet as flawed and fallible makes for a pretty good story. Mark Waid's story is excellent and Daniel Indro's art is very good. I enjoyed it and would love to read more in this series.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Saturday, February 15, 2014

Siegfried Volume 2 : The Valkyrie

Siegfried Volume 2 : The Valkyrie

author: Alex Alice

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.38

book published: 2010

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/15

date added: 2014/02/15

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Siegfried finds himself in the forest guided (or hindered) by the Niebelung, Mime. He is on a journey to kill the dragon, but he must collect three weapons first. Overseeing his journey is a Valkyrie who is forbidden to help him. Odin seeks her because she has strayed.



It's epic in scope, but there is plenty of humor as well. Mime carries an anvil around that Siegfried is always having to haul up cliff faces or retrieving from swamps. There is tragedy too, when the Valkyrie must make a sacrifice that will cost her everything.



The art by Alex Alice is beautiful. The niebelung and the witch are a little cartoony looking, but Odin is brooding and the Valkyrie has a sadness about her. Siegfried is young and hopeful. Nicely done.





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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Grimm Volume 1

Grimm Volume 1

author: David Greenwalt

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.82

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/13

date added: 2014/02/13

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Grimm Volume 1 is a collection of comics based on the hit television series. When a tie-in is made, the questions that come to mind are, is it any good? Is it a money grab by a studio or is it written by someone who understands the characters and world of the show?



I have seen a few episodes of the show, so I have a faint knowledge of the show and it’s characters. The book seems to ring through fine, while also offering a larger scope story than you would find in a typical episode. I don’t know how often they travel internationally on the show, but most show budgets don’t allow such things very often.



There is a nice intro story, then the group ends up heading to Europe to find some coins. The coins are dangerous and need to be destroyed. The problem is there are factions that want to use the coin for evil or seemingly good. There are lots of face offs with monsters. There are loyalty shifts. It’s pretty violent at times.



It’s not a bad story. It seems to add some backstory that the show may not have told. Whether that fits in with the canon and universe of the show. The art is good. I’m not sure it looks like the main characters from the show, but that could be just me. I enjoyed the story.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

100 Poems: Old and New

100 Poems: Old and New

author: Rudyard Kipling

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.14

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/11

date added: 2014/02/11

shelves: classics

review:

100 Poems: Old and New curated by Thomas Pinney collects some well known and even unpublished poems by Rudyard Kipling. According to Pinney, 25 of these are well known while the other 75 are classified as less known, published only in India or never in print. Not being that well acquainted with Kipling, I was only familiar with about 8 or the 25 most well known. This didn’t diminish how much I enjoyed this collection, but perhaps someone more familiar could see subtle differences between published and unpublished works.



Kipling is just as accessible today as ever. Many of the poems are about war and death. There are poems about gambling and drinking. It’s a manly collection of poems and possibly a good way to introduce poetry to those who think they don’t like poetry. It’s certainly the kind of poetry that the Ron Swanson character on the television show Parks And Rec would read and quote.



The poems included here are by no means comprehensive. For that, you’d need something like the 3 volume work, The Cambridge Edition of the Poems of Rudyard Kipling, also edited by Thomas Pinney. 100 Poems is a nice introduction, but it’s nice to know there is something more comprehensive (the 3 volume work boasts 550 poems). Apparently Rudyard Kilpling was much more prolific than I ever realized. I quite enjoyed this book and I’m quite happy that I read it.



I was given a review copy of this book by Cambridge University Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.







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Monday, February 10, 2014

Bandette, Volume 1: Presto!

Bandette, Volume 1: Presto!

author: Paul Tobin

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.28

book published: 2012

rating: 5

read at: 2014/02/10

date added: 2014/02/10

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Bandette is a great comic. Light-hearted and full of fun it’s a breath of fresh air in a world of super serious post-modern comics. Bandette is a thief. She bounces around rooftops, fights with agility, all while staying one step ahead of her opponents and the law. She yells out her trademark ‘Presto!’ with a joy that seems to elude most modern comics.



She steals but isn’t above helping those in need, or assisting the law. She even helps her nemesis on the police force, Inspector Belgique, to stop a bank robbery with hostages. Her criminal opponent in Monsieur, and there is a sword-wielding criminal named Matadori. Whether these are all actually enemies or just good-natured friends who occasionally fight for fun is unclear (and really doesn’t matter). Bandette has a whole troupe of orphans that assist her in her capers. Even the shadow organization that wants to put a stop to Bandette can’t put a damper on this charming heroine.



Art by Colleen Coover has a cool retro 1960s vibe and is just fabulous. The story takes place in Paris, and has the feel of the New Wave film movement of that time. I really enjoyed this book and hope to see more of Bandette. Very recommended.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this very fun graphic novel.







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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Last Man Standing: Killbook of a Bounty Hunter

Last Man Standing: Killbook of a Bounty Hunter

author: Dan Luvisi

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.87

book published: 2011

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/09

date added: 2014/02/09

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Last Man Standing: Killbook of a Bounty Hunter by Dan Luvisi is an interesting and hard to classify work. It’s a gorgeous graphic project, but not a graphic novel. It looks like the inner information for a video game, and yet, it’s an original work. It’s laid out like a scrapbook, but it does manage to tell a story of sorts.



It’s a weird future where the world has been changed into groups of mutants, samurai, underground rebels and others. Gabriel was once a hero in this land until he was framed and sent to deep level detention. When all seems helpless, he is aided in his escape and sent out to get revenge. The killbook is his scrapbook of information about the world he is going into. There are stats on enemies and possible friends, weapon descriptions, food, magazine covers, etc.



A fun part is at the end of the book where other artists do their renditions of the characters. I don’t know if this is supposed to be a pitch for a videogame, but I’d play it, for sure. Detailed and interesting.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters Volume 1

Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters Volume 1

author: Mairghread Scott

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.13

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/05

date added: 2014/02/05

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Cybertron is a dying world, and the Dinobots are one of the few races around along with factions of Autobots and Insecticons. These factions don't seem to be getting along very well. After a series of strange incidents, Grimlock is sent to find out what happened. His investigation will lead him into areas of Cybertron where he is not welcome.



The whole thing plays a bit like a noir detective novel. The planet is dark and moody, the suspects are uncooperative, and Grimlock is more grouchy than likeable. When he discovers real dinosaurs on the planet, there are pretty great scenes of Grimlock fighting a real T-Rex.



It’s a different type of story for a Transformers book, but it’s got plenty of action. Art by Michael Gaydos and Beni Lobel is especially good. Apparently, the story takes place after season 2 of the animated series. I really liked the mood of the story and locations, and the fight scenes with real dinosaurs were pretty epic.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Sunday, February 2, 2014

G.I. JOE: Special Missions Volume 1

G.I. JOE: Special Missions Volume 1

author: Chuck Dixon

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.00

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/02/02

date added: 2014/02/02

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

The Baroness is on the outs with COBRA. She plans on funding her missions by salvaging a ship that went down with a fortune on board. The problem is Cobra wants to retrieve the cargo also, and there is a small, underfunded G. I. Joe team that is tracking her.



Complicating matters are a huge storm at sea, mutinous, greedy sailors and surprise enemies showing up at every turn. It’s a pretty good story with lots of things happening, but it’s all balanced and easy to follow along with. Cobra is evil no matter if it’s the Baroness who is on the outs, or the rest of Cobra trying to stop her. The Joe team is outgunned, but resourceful.



Story by Chuck Dixon is super. Art by Paul Gulacy is top notch. I really like the direction that IDW has taken the G. I. Joe comics that they publish. Serious, intense and satisfying.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Mara

Mara

author: Brian Wood

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.45

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/02/01

date added: 2014/02/01

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Mara is a huge sports star in a future obsessed with sports and war. Her picture adorns magazines, posters and memorabilia. Meanwhile her brother, Mark, is a soldier fighting in a foreign war. As children they were raised in state run schools and trained for their jobs. To serve their country. Mark as a soldier, Mara as a volleyball player.



Things take a turn when Mara starts exhibiting super powers. She is accused of cheating. Worse, the government wants to use her as a weapon of deterrence against it’s enemies. When her captors take things too far, Mara realizes her powers are developing at an alarming rate and she turns her back on humans.



It seems like the beginning of a series. Mara’s superpowers are kind of on par with Superman, but it’s nice to see a young girl as the hero. The art is good and it’s a fairly interesting story, but there is a turning point toward the end that makes Mara seem a bit shallow and I found it kind of took me out of the story. Also, she is all powers and no apparent vulnerabilities. That might get less interesting as things go along.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.







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