Monolith

author: Robert Recchioni
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.56
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/29
date added: 2021/08/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Monolith' by Robert Recchioni with art by Lorenzo Ceccotti is a graphic novel about a woman with the fight of her life on her hands.

A woman takes her son and leaves her husband, and he insists that she take his smart car, branded Monolith. When she has an accident, she is stuck outside the car while her son is inside. She must battle nature and the elements to keep herself and her son alive.

This is a story with few words, but the art more than carries the story. It's all pretty cinematic and intense. It's a fast-paced story and read and I liked it quite a bit.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Magnetic Press, 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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Bedhead Ted

author: Scott SanGiacomo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/29
date added: 2021/08/29
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Bedhead Ted' with story and art by Scott SanGiacomo is a graphic novel for younger readers about out of control hair and a giant monster.

Summer is over and school is starting and Ted and his best friend Stacy dread the bus ride to school. Stacy gets teased about his name and Ted has a lot of unruly hair. Stacy is also interested in finding the town's big monster, but Ted gets jealous when a couple new friends show up to help look. Ted finds out something even weirder about his hair, but he really just wants his friend Stacy back.

This was a fun and offbeat story about friendship and making assumptions and learning the ways that make us all special. The story has heart and humor and fun art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Marsupilami: The Beast

author: Zidrou
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.92
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/27
date added: 2021/08/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Marsupilami: The Beast' by Zidrou with art by Frank Pe is a graphic novel about a really strange animal and the small boy who finds it.

The story takes place in 1955 in post-war Belgium. A strange unseen animal with a really long tail terrorizes a cargo ship and ends up stranded. It is found by a small boy who collects animals of all types, including a beer drinking horse. Will this new creature get along with the others or will it make them all a meal?

I am familiar with drawings of the original Marsupilami, but I never read the comics. This is a reboot that seems pretty different than those, but I found the story engaging and the characters were good. The art was kind of a caricature style, but I liked it.

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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Savage: The Wild

author: Max Bemis
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.93
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/25
date added: 2021/08/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Savage: The Wild' by Max Bemis with art by Nathan Stockman is a graphic novel about a feral boy who is trending on social media.

Kevin Sauvage was born and raised on a prehistoric island where he learned to kill all manner of monsters. Now he is back in England and is trending on the internet and people are crazy about him. The only problem is that he misses his island. The other problem is that someone is out to kill him and Savage doesn't know it.

This was a fun overindulgent story making fun of media and fame. The characters feel a bit one-dimensional, but that doesn't take away from the fun. Perhaps I was in the mood for some brainless fun. I liked the art and all the cover variants that were added.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from 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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Djeliya

author: Juni Ba
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2021/08/25
date added: 2021/08/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Djeliya' with story and art by Juni Ba is a graphic novel inspired by West African folklore.

Mansour Keita, the last prince of a dying kingdom, is going to meet a great wizard with his Djeli, or storyteller. As they travel, they meet others in person and in story.

I like the concept of this, but the execution left me flat. The story is a bit hard to follow as it jumps around. The art felt a bit too cartoonish and the coloring was kind of flat and dimensionless.

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


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Love: The Mastiff

author: Frédéric Brrémaud
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.14
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/25
date added: 2021/08/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Love: The Mastiff' by Frederic Brremaud and Federico Bertolucci is the fifth graphic novel in a series of wordless stories about animals trying to survive.

A mastiff and his master are out hunting when the master gets bitten by a snake. Now he must try to find his way home without running afoul of any of the creatures in the outback like the snake and a mean pack of dingoes. There are also other subplots going on like a platypus giving birth and different birds and animals.

I like this series and how it doesn't flinch from the cruelty of nature. The stories are told perfectly and the art is topnotch.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from 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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You & Your Strange Brain: A Book of Brains, How they Work, and Sometimes Don't

author: Clive Gifford
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/19
date added: 2021/08/19
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'You & Your Strange Brain: A Book of Brains, How they Work, and Sometimes Don't' by Clive Gifford and Anne Wilson is a non-fiction book about our brains for younger readers.

The book is divided in to three sections then divided in to quick chapters that include pictures, descriptions and even fun experiments to do. Along the way, the reader will learn what the brain operates in the body, how a brain develops over the years and how the brain works to protect us and help us be creative.

I liked this science book for younger readers and even did a few of the experiments as I reviewed the book. The information presented is in digestible chunks and includes color illustrations.

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


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I Believe in You

author: Tatsuya Miyanishi
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.44
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/19
date added: 2021/08/19
shelves: childrens
review:
'I Believe in You' with story and pictures by Tatsuya Miyanishi is a picture book for young readers featuring dinosaurs and is the 8th book in the Tyrannosaurus series.

Young triceratops Rikayla is separated from her family when an earthquake traps her family in a cave. She tries to get help from local dinosaurs to no avail. The only one large enough is the tyrannosaurus, but he also likes to eat little dinosaurs.

I really love this series. I've read most of them and they have an unusual darkness that you don't find in kids books. The illustrations are really nice too. I like the textures and ink work.

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


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Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1

author: Chris Samnee
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/19
date added: 2021/08/19
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1' by Laura Samnee with art by Chris Samnee is a graphic novel about family in a time of monsters.

When Rainbow's little sister Jonna disappeared, she did what any older sister would do and set out to look for her. In a world ravaged by giant monsters, that's not an easy task. When she does find Jonna, her little sister has found refuge and gained new powers.

I really liked this story of sisters. The story moves along at a great clip and the art is just fun to look at. I like little Jonna with her fearlessness and Rainbow with her protectiveness.

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


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Star Beasts

author: Stephanie Young
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.66
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2021/08/19
date added: 2021/08/19
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Star Beasts' with story and art by Stephanie Young is a graphic novel about brave animals fighting to save the planet.

When Bandit leaves home, his owner doesn't know where he's gone. Little does she know that he captains a spaceship and he's been called away to fight a war to save Earth along with the other Star Beasts.

This had such potential, but felt so lackluster in execution. It may be that there were just too many characters, but there is not a lot of character development short of a few characters. The art is bright and fun, but the story left me wanting a lot more.

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


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Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter

author: Rich Moyer
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/08/18
date added: 2021/08/18
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter' with story and art by Rich Moyer is a hilarious graphic novel about a likeable pig on a seemingly impossible mission.

Ham Helsing comes from a long line of very accident prone pigs. When he is the last in the family line, he reluctantly takes on the family mantle and goes to the aid of a town. Along the way, he picks up a team of unlikely heroes, like greedy rats, a werewolf who is really a small boy and a tree pig who is a ninja.

I laughed a lot at this humorous story of being afraid and doing it anyway. The setups and humor are great and I liked the wacky characters. I really liked the art too!

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Children's and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Mindy Kaling

author: Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/17
date added: 2021/08/17
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'Mindy Kaling' by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Yallaroza is a biography for young readers about a brilliant comedy writer's life.

Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam. Her parents named her Mindy after a character on a sitcom. As a young girl, Mindy memorized quotes from movies, but she didn't see anyone that looked like her in them. She dreamed of becoming a comedy writer and that's what she did.

I've enjoyed Mindy Kaling's work and it was great to read this inspiring book about her. The illustrations are very fun too.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Kong and Me

author: Kiki Thorpe
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.46
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/17
date added: 2021/08/17
shelves: childrens
review:
'Kong & Me' with story by Kiki Thorpe with illustrations by Nidhi Chanani is an ebook about a small girl with a very big friend.

The setting is a remote tropical island where the mighty Kong lives with his friend, a young girl. Even though these friends are very different in many ways, they don't care what other people say. He's just not very good at hide and seek.

This is a really cute story and the illustrations are wonderful. I liked the lesson about making friends, even with those who are different from us.

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


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The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods

author: Svetlana Chmakova
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/17
date added: 2021/08/17
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Weirn Books, Vol. 1' with story and art by Svetlana Chmakova is a graphic novel about young magic users who live in the Night Realm.

Weirns are like vampires, but not. They attract interesting shadow pets. Allis and Na'ya are young weirns who still go to school. When a bully in the school starts to act unusually nice, and Na'ya's little brother disappears, they are suspicious. The investigation leads them to a forbidden mansion in the Silent Woods and a secret that has lasted for years.

I liked this story of unusual creatures and magic. The worldbuilding is interesting. The art has a manga style that was appealing.

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


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The Heart of Shadows

author: Marco Cosimo D'Amico
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.22
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/14
date added: 2021/08/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Heart of Shadows' by Marco Cosimo D'Amico and Laura Iorio with illustrations by Roberto Ricci is a graphic novel about a kid with lots of fear who meets the boogie man (actually, lots of them).

Luc is a boy full of fear. A lot of it is imposed by his mother and grandmother. It doesn't help that his older sister disappeared years ago either. So, when Uomo Nero, the Italian boogie man, shows up, he takes Luc to the land of Shadows because his fear can be useful to the dark creatures that live there.

It's a weird story, and if it's for kids, it's either probably too scary or too boring for them. I liked its dark nature, and the unusually nice illustrations.

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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Tango 1. An Ocean of Stone (Tango, #1)

author: Matz
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/14
date added: 2021/08/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Tango 1: An Ocean of Stone' by Matz with art by Xavier Philippe is a graphic novel about a mysterious man living in a town full of secrets.

Tango lives in a small village and that's how he likes it. When a young boy's father is threatened, Tango intercedes, only to discover that the man has secrets. Those secrets bring a load of trouble to the town, including those from Tango's own past.

It's a nice anti-hero story of a guy who just wants to be left alone, but ultimately does the right thing. I liked the story and art and it was a good read.

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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Hibakusha

author: Thilde Barboni
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.89
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/14
date added: 2021/08/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Hibakusha' by Thilde Barboni with art by Olivier Cinna is a graphic novel story about a forbidden love in time of war.

Ludwig is a translator for the Nazis. When he gets the chance to go back to Japan and leave his loveless marriage behind, he takes it. He is stationed in Hiroshima near the end of the war, so the astute student of history will know what will happen. Ludwig pursues a forbidden love and attempts to do something heroic, but time is not on his side.

This was an interesting story, made even more so by the striking art. The art is beautiful and elevates a story that felt inevitable.

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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Not Alone

author: Sophocles Sapounas
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.33
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2021/08/14
date added: 2021/08/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Not Alone' with story and art by Sophocles Sapounas is a graphic novel about 2 strangers who are trying to survive in the zombie apocalypse.

The story opens with the female character evading capture by jumping off a cliff. She lands near a male who can't remember who he is and has no gear or food. They decide to go to the city to find her stash of food, but that turns out to be hazardous as there are zombies around every corner.

The story has potential, but has some continuity issues in its flow. I felt a bit lost at times. The art is pretty crude, but shows potential. It would be interesting to see how things improve as the story continues.

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


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The 27 Run: Crush (The 27 Run #2)

author: Justin Zimmerman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/13
date added: 2021/08/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The 27 Run: Crush' with story and art by Justin Zimmerman is a graphic novel that is a continuation of a story.

Beti and her telepathic dog E.K pilot a huge mech, attempting to wipe out the 27 huge monsters now ruling the Earth. When they seem to be surrounded and about to be overrun, they find that there is another mech and pilot out there, Beti's ex, called pilot.

This was a pretty cool story with some great art and color. There is plenty of action and humor that had me flipping pages.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from A Wave Blue World in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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One Line

author: Ray Fawkes
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.10
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2021/08/08
date added: 2021/08/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'One Line' with story and art by Ray Fawkes is an unusual idea that works very well as a graphic novel.

Using the 18 frames of a double page, this graphic novel follows the lives of 18 people and their families over 4 centuries, frame by frame. Each frame switches to a different person and a different perspective. We see things passed down from generation to generation. Things like honor, tradition, and even thing like prejudice. As timelines end, those panels become dark.

This was a really amazing story, and seemed to be really well planned. The art is fairly simplified, but the complexity lies in the way lives cross paths. This was a very thought provoking read.

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


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Big Nate Goes Bananas!

author: Lincoln Peirce
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.45
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/08
date added: 2021/08/08
shelves: childrens
review:
'Big Nate Goes Bananas!' by Lincoln Peirce is another great collection of comics about a pretty funny middle school kid.

This time around, Nate's baseball team gets a new name, but could there be a name worse than the Cream Puffs? Nate is also very picky about what type of banana he will eat. Nate's favorite cereal has a contest for a new mascot, so Nate designs one, but so does his rival, Artur.

These are fun collections and I always get a few laughs out of the humor. It's timed well and this is a great series for young readers.

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


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Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence, Vol. 1

author: Hazano Kazutake
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/03
date added: 2021/08/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence Vol. 1' with story and art by Hazano Kazutake is a manga about an unusual relationship.

Saint Cecilia bestows her miracles on the townspeople and they love her. She is tended to by Pastor Lawrence who has her well-being in mind. Unknown to Pastor Lawrence, the saint has a secret crush on him.

This was mostly done as a series of 4 panel comic strips, even though the story was continuous, but this made for a less than smooth reading experience. There is a lot of cute stuff happening, and I am curious where the series will go. I liked the art, but wish it had been a more traditional linear story.

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


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Lord Jim

author: Joseph Conrad
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published: 1900
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/02
date added: 2021/08/02
shelves: classics
review:
A young seaman performs a cowardly act, then is left to his fate in court. The book follows his attempt to come to terms with bad decisions he has made.

Jim is a tough character to like, but it could be because I see myself in him a little bit. It's also hard not to compare this book to Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." I like 'Heart of Darkness' better, but there are things here that I really liked.


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