Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine

author: Anaële Hermans
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at: 2021/05/27
date added: 2021/05/27
shelves: non-fiction, graphic-novels
review:
'Green Almonds' by Anaele Hermans with art by Delphine Hermans is a graphic novel about a correspondence between two sisters.

Two sisters, Anaele and Delphine, in Belgium start writing each other when Anaele leaves for Palestine. Anaele is going to volunteer in an aid program and learns firsthand the delicate situation between Israelis and Palestinians. Through holidays and travel Anaele writes her sister about how she is feeling. Delphine, in turn, writes short postcards and her anxiety for her sister is pretty evident.

I liked this story about an outsider who sees firsthand a situation that is going on. The art is interesting as is the story.

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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The Blue Day Book Illustrated Edition: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up

author: Bradley Trevor Greive
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.05
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/05
date added: 2021/05/26
shelves:
review:
'The Blue Day Book Illustrated Edition: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up' by Bradley Trevor Greive was originally published about 20 years ago and now has new illustrations by Claire Keane.

Everyone has bad days, and this book takes the reader on a journey through the different things we do when we are sad. It also offers comfort that better days are ahead. The new illustrations tell the story through the eyes of a large blue elephant.

This book offers pretty simple, but true advice. Certainly there are situations in life that can be pretty dire, but one's perspective can help a person get through them. I never read the older book, but the addition of illustrations can't help but improve the focus of the story.

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 ebook.


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Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror: Volume One

author: Tom Peyer
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.28
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2021/05/23
date added: 2021/05/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror: Volume One' from Ahoy Comics is a graphic novel anthology of horror satire and cynicism.

Hosted by a drunk (and disgusting) Edgar Allan Poe, this collection is a series of short comics inspired, or not inspired, by the works of Mr. Poe. There are also poems, prose pieces and a puzzle. The stories all fall in to the semi-serious to over the top ludicrous.

I reminded me a bit of a horror version of MAD magazine. I liked the collection and found some material stronger than other material. Nothing made me laugh completely out loud, but it was entertaining enough.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Ahoy Comics, 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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Dark One

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2021/05/23
date added: 2021/05/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dark One Volume 1' by Brandon Sanderson, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Nathan C. Gooden and Kurt Michael Russell is an graphic novel based on original material by Brandon Sanderson.

When we meet Paul Tanasin, he is in therapy for the visions of a dark world he has and the invisible woman talking to him who claims to be his sister. One day, he finds himself in that world, and learns that he has a part to play in the mysterious 'narrative,' but it's not a part he wants to necessarily play.

I didn't like this story until I realized that it was just the first part. The ending of this one is so bleak that it felt defeating, but that's a good spot for a sequel. The art is pretty good and there are some nice double page spreads with lots of detail.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault Comics, 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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Medalist, Vol. 1

author: TSURUMAIKADA
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2021/05/23
date added: 2021/05/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Medalist, Vol. 1' by Tsurumaikada is a sports manga about competitive figure skating.

Tsukasa is a good skater, but at the end of his competitive years. That leads to coaching. One day while hanging out at the ice rink, he sees young Inori, who bribes her way in to skate by paying the rink owner with worms for his bird collection. Inori has started late in her drive to compete, but Tsukasa sees some incredible raw talent. He has to convince Inori she is good because her self-esteem is the target of everyone around her, but with her coach's help, Inori takes her first strides to competition.

I'm a particular fan of sports manga and this one, in particular, was especially good. I liked learning more about the sport and what the badge system is comprised of. The characters are appealing on different levels and the art shines.

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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The Underfoot Vol. 2: Into the Sun

author: Ben Fisher
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.84
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/05/22
date added: 2021/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'The Underfoot Vol. 2: Into the Sun' by Ben Fisher and Emily S. Whitten with art by Michelle L. Nguyen is a graphic novel that continues the adventures of post-apocalyptic hamsters doing daring deeds in the absence of humans.

The last volume had a successful mission to save the badgers from flooding. This time the forces of H.A.M. and H.A.P. are joined by H.A.T. to find missing supplies and missing team members. The threat of the "scales" and their reptilian leader Hashak is revealed and all the hamsters have to band together.

It's a decent enough read and younger readers would probably enjoy it more than I did. The art works but I'm not really a fan of it.

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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Incredible Doom

author: Matthew Bogart
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/05/22
date added: 2021/05/22
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Incredible Doom' by Matthew Bogart and Jesse Holden is a graphic novel from a particular era, and one that I miss.

This story takes place in the era of the BBS or computer bulletin board. The two stories, which link, involve an a girl named Allison who is abused by her stage magician father, and a young man named Richard, who is new in town and gets invited to connect to a BBS called Evol BBS. The connection between these two and their different stories involves computers and the link that strangers can make online.

I loved the lonely vibe of this story. The sparse locations, the loneliness of hiding a terrible secret or being the new kid. The art reflects this quite well, and I loved all the throwback references to the BBS days of the internet. Well done!

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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