The Witch and the Beast, Vol. 1

author: Kousuke Satake
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2020/12/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Witch and the Beast, Vol. 1' by Kousuke Satake is a manga about witches and the supernatural beings hired to kill them.

Guidreau is a feral girl with fangs and a serious thirst for killing witches. Her partner Ashaf has a coffin strapped to his back and will take any job involving magic. The story starts with them convincing a village the the witch they see as a hero has actually enthralled them for her safety.

I like the idea of this series and the main characters seem really cool. I had a bit of a hard time getting in to the story as it just kind of dumps the reader right in the middle, but by the end, I was on board. The art is gothic and creepy.

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


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Animal

author: Colo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2020/12/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Animal book 1 (of 1)' with story and art by Colo is an unusual graphic novel about a man with an odd request.

Told in a series of interviews after the event, we meet people who knew the man. H frequented bull fights. He was an artist, but critical of his own work. He attended and drew in art galleries. But his final request is the oddest one of all. In sympathy with the animals he sees, he decides to renounce his humanity. Will the court agree to such a strange request?

It's an odd little mystery. At first, it feels like the main character is gone, and perhaps in a way he is. The art is ok. I just really didn't know what to make of this story.

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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Ritu Weds Chandni

author: Ameya Narvankar
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2020/12/05
shelves: childrens
review:
'Ritu Weds Chandni' with story and art by Ameya Narvankar is a picture book about a young girl excited to celebrate her cousin's wedding.

Ayesha is attending her cousin Ritu's wedding, and she's looking forward to dancing at the baraat. Unfortunately, others in the village are not happy that Ritu is marrying her girlfriend. When they take action to stop the wedding, little Ayesha makes a brave stand for her cousin.

This is a gorgeously illustrated book about a wedding in a culture that is different from my own. There are a fair amount of foreign to me words used, but there is a helpful glossary in the back for people like me.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Yali Books, Independent Book Publishers Association, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Return to the Most Beautiful Village in the World

author: Yutaka Kobayashi
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.29
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2020/12/05
shelves: childrens
review:
'Return to the Most Beautiful Village in the World' with story and art by Yutaka Kobayashi takes us back to Paghman Village, and follows the travels of one citizen.

Mirado received a flute from his father, who he hasn't seen for a while. He is now traveling with a circus to escape the war back home. He misses his friend Yamo and decides to head back home to see his friend. That journey takes him by different means of transport and has him relying on the kindness of strangers. When he gets back home, he sees that he finds an abandoned town, but still there is hope.

I liked this book as much ast he first one. The first one had a bit more of a shocking ending. The art is a nice quality, and I liked this more somber story of a war torn country.

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


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The Castoffs Vol. 3: Rise of the Machines

author: M.K. Reed
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2020/12/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Castoffs Vol. 3: Rise of the Machines' by MK Reed and Brian Smitty Smith with art by Wyeth Yates continues the graphic novel series about young mages with different powers.

The story picks right up with the mages in the midst of a destroyed village. While they help rebuild, Ursa tries to build a relationship with the father she's never met before. Meanwhile the vast robot army is closing in on the city and the mages will need to try to stop them.

This is an unusual take on a fantasy series in a world with discarded tech. I like the characters. This volume felt like a middle volume and feels like it's getting things set up for the next act. I do also like the art in this series.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni 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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Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays

author: Wook-Jin Clark
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/12/01
date added: 2020/12/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays' with story and art by Wook-Jin Clark brings more of the Sanrio grouchy egg and his questionable advice.

This time, it's the holidays and all the trauma they can bring. From having parents visit that want to take over your entire tiny apartment to creating the perfect resolution for the new year. There is a hunt for the perfect, if impossible to find, gift, and wishing for snow.

Gudetama doles out decent advice this time, or lets folks find the answers on their onw. This is a fun seasonal comic with a really strange couple of main characters. The art is fun too, and I had a good time reading this.

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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Cretaceous

author: Tadd Galusha
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/11/28
date added: 2020/11/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Cretaceous' with story and art by Tadd Galusha is a wordless graphic novel about survival in the Cretaceous era.

The story centers around a Tyrannosaurus Rex out hunting. When it gets separated from its parents, it is left in a dangerous world. The story features a chain reaction of dinosaurs eating and being eaten. All the great dinosaurs are featured in this story, but how will the story end for our T-Rex friend?

I had a great time reading this. The lack of text didn't hurt the story at all because the artist conveys so much with the art. And the art is really great.

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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