Seven Blades in Black (The Grave of Empires, #1)

author: Sam Sykes
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/11/04
date added: 2019/11/04
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Seven Blades in Black' by Sam Sykes is the first novel in a new trilogy. It's about a snarky killer and her sentient gun.

Sal the Cacophony is a pretty unpleasant character. She is scarred, a reputed killer, leaves a wake of trouble in her wake, and has a serious grudge. It's a wonder she has any friends, and she kind of doesn't, but her lover Liette does her best to help, and Cavric, the soldier she kidnapped, tries somewhat helplessly. Sal is out to kill the ones that betrayed her, but it just may kill her.

I liked this story of revenge, but I got to a point in the book, and there wasn't a lot of character development. It was a lot of new monsters to fight, and new characters that Sal had ticked off in her life. The final third comes together, but I really feel like this book was about 200 pages too long. The writing is good and I would definitely read more by this author.

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


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Red Dust (Comanche #1)

author: Greg
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1972
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/03
date added: 2019/11/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Red Dust (Comanche #1)' by Greg with art by Hermann Huppen is a comic book set in the old West. The original publication date is 1972, but it's a story that holds up well for Western fans.

A cowboy with red hair comes to town and shakes things up. He finds out about a hit on a local cattle rancher named Comanche and decides to help. He finds a bunch of misfits to help, and takes on corrupt sheriffs and landowners.

This book has really great art. The story feels like a bit of a trope, but the familiarity felt comfortable to me, like a friend I hadn't seen in a while. I enjoyed this one.

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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Leonardo the Genius (Leonardo 1)

author: Phillip Turk
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2019/11/03
date added: 2019/11/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Leonardo the Genius' by De Groot with art by Phillip Turk is a collection of comics about one of the world's greatest inventors.

In this collection, Leonardo gets an assistant, and then proceeds to blow up and abuse the poor fellow. He also invents a series of inventions that he never made in real life, like the automobile and television. A longer gag has him inventing wings and running in to humorous situations.

The gags are mildly funny and pretty silly. The art works well. I think it would be a fun read for younger readers.

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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Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur's Gate

author: Jim Zub
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/05/15
date added: 2019/11/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur's Gate Volume 1' comes along with the new 5th edition of D&D. It's a fun story, but not a great story.

We meet young magic user Delina who is in the city to save her twin brother. When we meet her, she is being chased by winged demons and using her random and sometimes unreliable powers to defend herself. When her powers hit a statue of Minsc, the revered (and long gone) ranger, he shows up in the flesh to help out, along with his space hamster Boo. After adding a couple of thieves into the mix, we're off to find Delina's twin brother. Except that the city guard and another faction are also in the mix chasing our little band. We get some back story on Delina and her brother, but mainly we get hilarious wise-cracking from Minsc.

The art is only ok, but the story is fun enough. I loved Minsc, and who wouldn't love Boo? The thieves are fairly standard, but I liked Delina's random, uncontrolled magic. A nice sword and sorcery graphic novel for those looking for one.

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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Batman: 100 Greatest Moments: Highlights from the History of The Dark Knight

author: Editors of Chartwell Books
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.82
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/02
date added: 2019/11/02
shelves:
review:
'Batman: 100 Greatest Moments: Highlights from the History of The Dark Knight' by Robert Greenberger is a sprawling look at the 80 year history of one of the greatest characters in comicdom.

The 100 greatest moments are divided in to chapters like Origins, The Batman Family, Enemies, and others. The origins of things like the Bat Signal and how Batman started disappearing after talking to Commissioner Gordon are here. The great writers, story-lines and artists are here as well.

It's really a must-have for any Batfan as well as anyone looking to learn more about the Caped Crusader. I definitely found some story-lines I want to find and read based on this book.

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


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The Black Mage

author: Daniel Barnes
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/02
date added: 2019/11/02
shelves: graphic-novels, young-adult
review:
'The Black Mage' by Daniel Barnes with art by DJ Kirkland is a familiar story told with race in mind.

When Tom Token is accepted into the prestigious St. Ivory Academy for wizards, he thinks he is the first black student. As such, things don't go well for him, as he is discriminated against, and even uncovers a plot that may end his life. Fortunately, he is helped by the ghost of past fighters Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and John Henry.

I liked this parody of another famous wizard school. I liked the anime style art. Tom is a pretty cool character, and it would be interesting to see what he gets up to next.

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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Voracious: Appetite for Destruction (Voracious, #3)

author: Markisan Naso
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/01
date added: 2019/11/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Voracious: Appetite for Destruction' by Markisan Naso with art by Jason Muhr concludes the bonkers story of a man, a diner, and an appetite to serve up some dinosaur.

Nate Willner has a diner and a time travel suit. With it, he hunts dinosaurs and serves them. No harm done, right?

Except Nate is hunting in an alternate past and killing sentient dinosaurs. Now it's all come to a head as dinosaur detectives and feral dinosaurs are unleashed on Nate's town. Now he and dino-detective Gus Horncrasher have to save the town and try to put things right.

It's a satisfying enough conclusion, and overall a decent, if crazy, story. For a first time shot at comics, this wasn't half bad. It does get pretty wordy at times, but it has a good ending and a nice finish.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Action Lab Entertainment, 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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