The Wolves of La Louvière

author: Balthazar Flore
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/08/08
date added: 2018/08/08
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'The Wolves of La Louviere' by Balthazar Flore is a biographical graphic novel that follows a family in Belgium as they experience the war.

In 1940, the Nazis occupied Belgium in 18 days. In the town of La Louviere, life seems to carry on, but eventually there are noticeable signs. Father goes off to war, food is scarce, and the town has soldiers occupying. A teacher at the school, who seems to be ok with the Nazi occupation, has her own secrets to keep.

The story and art are so charming that it gives the story a disarming nature. This doesn't downplay the story, but rather it makes the survivors seem brave in the face of things. The book ends with some text and photos of the family.

I'm familiar with some of these events from an American or British perspective. I appreciated the story from people who happened to have to live in the midst of such a struggle.

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 Night Dragon

author: Naomi Howarth
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/08/07
date added: 2018/08/07
shelves: childrens
review:
'The Night Dragon' by Naomi Howarth is a beautiful story about the dragons that bring on the night.

Maud the dragon is one of five dragons, but she is different. The other dragons fly and blow smoke and fire and turn the sky to night. But not Maud. She gets ridiculed about this and has only her friend Mouse to turn to. Mouse's advice is for Maud to be herself. When Maud learns this lesson, wonderful things happen.

I liked this story of being authentic and not trying to be like those around you. The lesson is clear, and the illustrations are beautiful.

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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Pizzasaurus Rex

author: Justin Wagner
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.75
book published: 2018
rating: 1
read at: 2018/08/07
date added: 2018/08/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pizzasaurus Rex' by Justin Wagner feels like a fossil from another age. I think it should have stayed buried.

Jeremy Duderman is a pretty boring scientist who unleashes a reptile that likes pizza on the world (sound familiar?). The dinosaur has pizza shaped everything, like skateboards and guitars. He also says the word "Rad!" A lot. The almost only girl in the book gets a rad transformation and then is mostly referred to as "the hot chick." The bad guys are infinite, which is good, because they keep losing their heads as the main bad guy keeps lopping them off.

Is this for kids? Is this a lost book from the early 1990s?

Whatever it is, it just wasn't very good, and felt really dated.

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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Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History

author: Joel Christian Gill
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.22
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2018/08/05
date added: 2018/08/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History' by Joel Christian Gill is a graphic novel telling about the lives of 8 African Americans that are little known or forgotten.

The book is wonderfully illustrated and tells the stories in positive ways. I learned about Jourdon Anderson, a former slave who wrote a letter to his former owner after that owner asked him to come back. Mary Fields worked hard, drank hard, and became a postal service contractor. Cathay Williams was a woman who disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the Civil War. There are others, and the stories are all just as amazing.

The art has a really wonderful quality that suits these stories. The stories told are about people who had undoubtedly rough and sad lives, but the focus is on the persistence to overcome those situations. This is a perfect collection of stories for younger readers. I've read another graphic novel by this same author, and I find his work impressive.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Fulcrum Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this inspiring graphic novel.


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Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire, #1)

author: Yoon Ha Lee
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2018/08/05
date added: 2018/08/05
shelves:
review:
'Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee is the first book in a military SF book where math is a weapon and the undead can be brilliant tacticians.

Kel Cheris is a young commander caught using unconventional methods of battle against a heretical enemy. Her next assignment is going to be to take the Fortress of Scattered Needles, a seemingly impossible target. She is given unusual help in Shuos Jedao, an undead and highly dangerous ally. Jedao is unbeatable, but also more than a little crazy. Cheris rides the knife edge of trusting Jedao, while those around her warn her to be ready for him to turn on her.

I confess to being a bit lost on this one. I liked the concepts and the characters, but much of it seemed to whoosh right over my head. I do want to read more in the series, and I hope that going forward things become a bit clearer. It's a really interesting approach to space battles and military in space.

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


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Kill Your Idols (Gregory Graves Vol. 1)

author: Brent Schoonover
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.75
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2018/08/05
date added: 2018/08/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Gregory Graves Vol. 1: Kill Your Idols' by Dan Harmon and Eric Esquivel with art by Brent Schoonover, Ted Naifeh, Paul Mounts and Rebecca Nalty tells a variation of a familiar story to comic book fans.

Supervillain Gregory Graves is in deep lockup along with other supervillains. A famous reporter is granted an interview. During the interview, we learn the origins of Gregory as well as the strange hero from another planet, Luminary. Gregory Graves knows some things about Luminary, like his secret identity, and how he might actually be a threat. Could the man the world fears the most, be it's greatest hero?

It's a variant of the Superman/Lex Luthor matchup with Lex possibly being the one who is right. It tries to be funny at times, and that feels like it falls flat. The art was mediocre and didn't impress me. I do like what they tried to do with this though.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Starburns Industries 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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Dawn of the Code War: America's Battle Against Russia, China, and the Rising Global Cyber Threat

author: John P. Carlin
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/08/05
shelves:
review:



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