Siberia 56 (Siberia 56, #1-3)

author: Christophe Bec
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.89
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/05/20
date added: 2018/05/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Siberia 56' by Christophe Bec with art by Alexis Sentenac is a science fiction graphic novel about life on a hostile planet. It appealed to me as a decent science fiction story and the art was better than average.

A new relief crew to planet Siberia 56 crash lands 150 miles from the base. Hostile conditions on the planet mean they have to cross the distance on foot. Hostile lifeforms on the planet mean they might not all make it. With a giant creature that can approach undetected, a non-liveable atmosphere, and a government that has it's own motivations, it might be hard for humans to survive.

It did remind me a bit of Aliens and Dune, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I appreciated characters in peril that actually used their brains. I liked the painted art quite a bit. At times things are a bit indistinct, but on a planet of snow storms, I think this was definitely a good choice.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Insight Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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His Name Was Ptirou His Name Was Ptirou

author: Yves Sente
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2018/05/20
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'His Name was Ptirou' by Yves Sente with art by Laurent Verron is part of a series, but it's such a grand adventure that I didn't feel like I needed to know much outside of this book.

When Uncle Paul comes over for Christmas dinners, all the kids in the house gather around to hear one of his stories. This year it's about a young acrobat named Ptirou who loses his mother and starts to lose his way until he stows away and becomes a bellboy on an ocean liner. There is intrigue going on with the ship's captain and a group of workers who want to sabotage the ship. One act seems to threaten the captain's daughter and Ptirou has a chance to prove how brave he really is.

I really liked this story in a story from another era. What we learn in the story is that Ptirou was the inspiration for a famous character in Franco-Belgian comics. This was a cool fact, but whether you are familiar with Spirou or not, this is still a fun adventure graphic novel.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Book of Broadway: The Definitive Plays and Musicals

author: Eric Grode
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.67
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2018/05/19
date added: 2018/05/19
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Book of Broadway: The Definitive Plays and Musicals' by Eric Grode makes a bold statement with it's title, but with 150 profiles of musicals and plays, I think it's valid.

The book only deals with theater that has made it to Broadway. It presents the picks in A to Z format. Initially, I wished it had been done chronologically, but I ended up agreeing with this arrangement. So from Abie's Irish Rose to Ziegfeld Follies of 1919, they are presented. There is writing about the plays including why they might have been picked. Every show picked includes original run dates, notable revivals (including tv and movies) and some of the original stars.

As a theater goer, I really enjoyed poring over this book with it's 300+ pictures. I recognized shows I've been to and put some shows on my "to see" list, although I think I've missed my chance to see Irving Berlin in Yip Yip Yaphank. The alphabetical presentation showed side by side how theater has changed, and how it hasn't. I had a great time reading this book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Voyageur Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Voltron Legendary Defender Vol. 2: Pilgrimage

author: Tim Hedrick
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2018/05/13
date added: 2018/05/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Voltron Legendary Defender Vol. 2: Pilgrimage' by Tim Hedrick and Mitch Iverson with art by Jung Gwan Yoo and Rubine is about robot fighters that can form an even bigger robot fighter. I'll confess right here that I've never been a big fan of the show, but I enjoyed this well enough.

The Voltron team, in their quest to stop Zarkon, find a race of hunters and shaman called the Davdabhau. They protect them from an attack. Then they are charged with escorting them through space to find new hunting grounds. Of course, it can never be that simple, so the crew finds a giant space monster that they have to deal with along with other hazards or space travel. One of the characters, Hunk, has two of the Davdabhau females fighting over him, much to his dismay.

The story is a pretty good space opera type story, and the art is so reminiscent of the cartoon that it almost feels like it's lifted from the cels and relabeled with new dialogue (which is not the case as far as I can tell). Folks who are fans of Voltron will probably find a lot to like in this story.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, 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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Two Scoops of Hooah!: The T-Wall Art of Kuwait and Iraq

author: George Hauer
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2018/05/13
date added: 2018/05/13
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Two Scoops of Hooah!: The T-Wall Art of Kuwait and Iraq' by George Hauer with Robin Whitney is a collection of art on concrete barriers in combat zones.

A t-wall, I learned, is a concrete barrier put in place as blast protection placed around military bases to protect from explosive blasts. As soldiers have been stationed near these, they have painted various murals on them. The t-walls are temporary. This book documents the various art left on them for a more permanent remembrance. Much of the art tells about the different units stationed near them. There are engineering companies, supply companies, medical units and various combat units. There is a section with art by coalition partners. The book finishes with memorial walls.

It's a pretty straightforward book, and the art styles range. The poignancy is in the message stating "I was here" and it's not lost on me. I appreciate these men and women and the sacrifices they make. I really liked getting to see this form of art.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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The Marvelous Mustard Seed

author: Amy-Jill Levine
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.27
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/05/06
date added: 2018/05/06
shelves: childrens
review:
'The Marvelous Mustard Seed' by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso with illustrations by Margaux Meganck is a picture book retelling of the parable of the mustard seed that is told by Jesus in the Bible.

Two children plant a mustard seed in the ground. The seed is so small that it can barely be seen. Once it is in the ground, it is hidden from view. Once the tree grows, it can be as large as a tree and provide shade and medicine to people around. In the same way, the children in this story (and the ones reading it) can live up to a much larger potential than they think possible. The book concludes with a section addressed to parents and educators with a series of questions that could be asked.

The illustrations are very nice and colorful. The story is a good adaptation told in a way I think would make children think about it in new ways. The ideas of faith and potential are presented clearly.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Flyaway Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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