A Dream for Three (Emma and Violette, #1)

author: Jérôme Hamon
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.66
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/01/28
date added: 2018/01/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'A Dream for Three (Emma and Violette, #1)' by Jerome Hamon with art by Lena Sayaphoum is a graphic novel about ballet, and I think it might be the first time I've run across the subject.

Emma and Violette are sisters who are both trying to attend a prestigious dance school in Paris. They are driven by their mother who had her own dreams that didn't come true. When Emma gets some bad news, she has to make some choices about her future. With the help of a supportive father, and the love of her mother, she finds a way to forge ahead.

It's a good story for anyone with a dream that they've pursued for a long time. It's also a good read for parent's who want to live their dreams through their kids. I really liked this story and these characters. It's hard to find these kind of parents in a lot of literature, but this is a family that all care about each other. The art is really good. It felt a bit like animation, and a bit like anime. I really liked the style.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2FqMvSZ

Anxiety is Really Strange

author: Steve Haines
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.96
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/01/28
date added: 2018/01/28
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'Anxiety is Really Strange' by Steve Haines is the second book I've read in this series. I find these an interesting ways of conveying information of the topics.

The book starts with setting out the types of questions it will answer like a definition of anxiety and the differences between cake and bread. Cake and bread differences become important as anxiety is defined and dissected. Along with the illustrations, most pages have footnotes that go into a bit more detail. Coping mechanisms, like grounding, are discussed. At the end of the book there is a list of references used in the book that can be used for further reading.

The first book I read was about trauma and I liked that one a bit more, but this one still offers help for those who suffer from anxiety as well as the folks caring for them. The illustration style fits the book very well. This would be a very good resource.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Singing Dragon, Jessica Kingsely Publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rLP3t5

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

author: Christopher Corr
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.44
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2018/01/28
date added: 2018/01/28
shelves: children-s
review:
'The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac' by Christopher Corr is a picture book showing how the Chinese zodiac years were determined.

In a time before years or days, the Jade Emperor realize he doesn't know how old he is. He decides a contest is in order and calls for a race among the animals. The first 12 animals across the finish line will have a year named after them. Some of the animals start the race as friends and that changes. Others in kindness help their fellow animals.

The pictures are colorful. The story is fine, except, I sometimes had a hard time reading black text over the illustrations. I wish that text boxes or alternating contrasting text would have been used.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2BxGyBn

Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses

author: Scott Snyder
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/01/28
date added: 2018/01/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses' by Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando is a crossover title with two vengeance filled heroes, and in a rare turn, Batman comes across as the less violent one.

Batman investigates a murder in Gotham City and it turns out to be Lamont Cranston. Following the trail leads him to the Shadow. Batman has never heard of the Shadow, but he learns that this mysterious person may have been a part of his life for a long time. The Shadow is hunting a mysterious being known as the Stag. Soon the Stag is teaming up with Batman's enemies, forcing Batman and the Shadow into an uneasy alliance.

I liked the story quite a bit. They managed to figure out a way for the Shadow to exist in modern day Gotham City and in the Batman universe in a very clever way. Alfred's past also has a bearing on this story, which I found interesting. I wasn't as crazy about the art, but the story was well written and kept me turning pages.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2nhyEIi

The Flash, Vol. 4: Running Scared

author: Joshua Williamson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/01/28
date added: 2018/01/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Flash, Vol. 4: Running Scared' by Joshua Williamson has Flash in a bind. It's also a bit of a follow up to Batman/The Flash: The Button, so it's better to start there.

Eobard Thawne is a fan of the Flash from the future. He's such a fan that he's made a museum, and even wanted to be the Flash. In the Flashpoint storyline, his weird fandom led him to kill Barry Allen's mother. Now, he is back. Along with that, Barry is confronted with lying to the woman he loves about his life as the Flash. Everything starts to come apart as Eobard seeks to destroy Barry's life and everyone around him.

The volume begins with a pretty good story with Hal Jordan and the Flash battling a villain called Multiplex.

I enjoyed the story, but I wish the art had been a bit better. This character is going through the wringer, and this story is maybe the culmination of it, with Barry standing in the tatters of his life. I've enjoyed reading this version of the Flash.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2GqQh08

The Pitiful Human-Lizard Vol 1: Far From Legendary

author: Jason Loo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2018/01/27
date added: 2018/01/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Pitiful Human-Lizard Vol. 1: Far From Legendary' by Jason Loo won me over big time. This superhero from Toronto may not have the big time skills, but he makes up for it with sheer determination.

Lucas Barrett has a dad who was once famous in Toronto for using his amazing glue and a costume to climb walls as the Human-Lizard. Lucas follows in his footsteps. He adds crimefighting to his version, but with a day job and bills to pay, it's tough. With his sidekick/friend Majestic Rat (who has an army of rats to serve him), and Mother Wonder, the really good superhero, Toronto has never been safer. Or has it.

The concept reminded me a bit of the original Mystery Men comics with it's dry humor and pathetic powers, but it's elevated by the sheer imagination of the creator. His unusual takes on the strange sort of monsters that show up, was fun and kept me wondering what was going to show up next. Lucas is an everyman hero like we've seen before, but his pathetic life is so resonant, that he feels like someone you know or work with. The art had a really clean style that had a sort of retro look to it, but I liked it. Especially the bold covers included in the collection.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2GnmHsf

Frankenstein: with Illustrations by Nino Carbe

author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.71
book published: 1818
rating: 5
read at: 2018/01/27
date added: 2018/01/27
shelves:
review:
'Frankenstein: with illustrations by Nino Carbe' by Mary Wollstonecraft includes an introduction by the artist's daughter for those unfamiliar, and a series of black and white and color illustrations. The black and white drawings are for a 1932 illustrated edition. The color paintings were completed by the artist in the 1980s.

Victor Frankenstein would seem to have it all: good looks, intelligence and a family and friends that love him. That is not enough for this insatiably curious man, so he creates a creature, then abandons it irresponsibly. The consequences that follow are devastating to Victor.

The black and white illustrations are pen and ink drawings that almost feel like woodcuts. There are also illuminated letters at the beginning of the chapters. The paintings divide the sections of the book with my favorite one on the page before the cover page. In this painting, the creature has bedraggled hair covering one eye. The eye we can see has a very visible tear. This is a creature to be pitied (at least at first). Carbe's drawings show us a deformed person with a misaligned jaw and a bit of a hunch. The unwashed hair hangs down. The illustrations are dramatic and striking. Most are on the grotesque side, and they complement this famous book very well.

I was unfamiliar with Nino Carbe, so I was surprised to learn that in his long career, he worked for Disney off and on. He had an influence on the movie Fantasia. I'd certainly like to learn more about this artist and his various work.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rHwhD7