Mooncakes (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge/Oni Press via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Mooncakes
Author: Suzanne Walker
Illustrator: Wendy Xu
Release Date: October 22, 2019


Synopsis: A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home.

Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I had heard great things about this book so I was really looking forward to reading it. And I LOVED it! This graphic novel is magically diverse! It's queer and witchy! It's so much fun!

Nova is a witch who's hard of hearing. Tam is a non-binary werewolf. The queerness is handled so seamlessly, naturally addressing pronouns used early on. There are so many parallels between queer stories and magic/werewolf stories that this combination just makes sense. The sense of community and finding your own people. The coming out. It's all there.

Every character in this graphic novel is fully realized and fleshed out completely. Not only does the world feel real and lived in, but the characters seem like real people as well. 

This is a great story about two childhood friends reconnecting as adults and figuring out things out. Oh, and there's also awesome magic battles. The pacing is also excellent. Honestly, I read the whole book in one sitting. I definitely give this graphic novel a 5/5. Highly recommend!!! 


--PAUL

Saban's Go Go Power Rangers, Vol. 5 (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Saban's Go Go Power Rangers, Vol. 5
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artists: Eleonora Carlini & Raul Angulo
Recent Release Date: December 10, 2019

Go Go Power Rangers Vol.1
Go Go Power Rangers Vol.2
Go Go Power Rangers Vol.3
Go Go Power Rangers Vol.4

Synopsis: With the Green Power Coin in her possession. Rita Repulsa will turn to an unlikely ally to activate it! Meanwhile, the Power Rangers discover Zordon’s history has come back to haunt them!

With the Green Power Coin finally in her possession, Rita Repulsa must go into the darkest corners of her past to unlock its power. Meanwhile, the Power Rangers work to discover what exactly Rita will do next, but face an unlikely foe who has his origins in Zordon’s past. 

Written by Ryan Parrott (Star Trek: Manifest Destiny) and illustrated by Eleonora Carlini (Batgirl), discover the secret history the Power Rangers revealed for the first time!

Contains issues #17-20 of Saban's Go Go Power Rangers. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I continue to adore both of the ongoing Power Rangers series from BOOM! Studios. The Go Go series focuses more on the non-actiony things like teenage drama and backstories to iconic characters. Rita's past is a big part of this volume. We meet Rita's mother and learn that she knew Zordon. Rita reminisces about her past as she tries to get the Dragon coin to work. 

The rangers are being affected by living a double life Zach's not doing well with his classes. The Jason and Trini relationship gets a little bumpy. Kim has to deal with her parents' divorce. 

Alpha-1 makes his debut in this volume. I'm looking forward to where he takes the main story. He has a complicated past and relationship with Zordon. I think we're going to get into the ethics of superhero-ing.

There are so many great references. Master Vile might be on his way. Tenga warriors are featured in a flashback. 

Not only the teenagers get drama to deal with this volume. Rita did not get along with her mother. And we learn more about Ernie's past and why he decided to open up a youth center. 

The artwork is excellent. The colors really capture the brightness of Power Rangers. That was one thing the 2017 film tried to get away from. I hope the upcoming film embraces the bright colors. This comic goes above and beyond the original series feel with the crispness of the colors and especially the zords. The zords get to do things in comics they would never have been able to do in 1990s live-action. 

This volume packs so much. I love it. This volume is a great setup for whatever Alpha-1 decides to do next volume. I give this volume a 5/5. 


--PAUL

Zéropédia (illustrated encyclopedia) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Zéropédia
Author: Fabcaro 
Illustrator: Julien Solé
Release Date: September 18, 2019


Synopsis: What was the Roswell incident? Why did people in the Stone Age paint pictures on cave walls? What is the Larsen effect? What was the "Wow!" signal? How do carnivorous plants catch their prey? What is absolute zero? Author Fabcaro, smitten by science, tackles countless scientific subjects alongside artist Julien/CDM in this illustrated "encyclopedia." Through humor and irony, they manage to make even the trickiest topics accessible to all—in just one page!

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This is an illustrated encyclopedia. It's all you need to know about all you need to know. The format is simple. A question is asked, then a page of comics about some facts and some funnies to answer.There are some pretty science-y terms in this book.

I would have absolutely loved this book as a kid. There's a lot of scientific terms, but they are presented in a way that anyone can get at least the basic understanding of with added humor. And pretty pictures. I give this book a 4/5. 


--PAUL

Natty (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Natty
Author: Éric Corbeyran, 
Illustrator: Melvil 
Release Date: June 2017


Synopsis: Princess Natty of Orchidhali is a member of the floral caste and lives in a luxurious, sunshine-filled palace covered. Had she not neglected her studies of sacred texts and tradition, she'd have learned that refusing all of candidates presented to her for marriage would result in her death! She is forced to flee her palace and ends up in the dark realm of the Untouchables, the very lowest caste of society, where a strange form of leprosy reigns. One of the Untouchables, Sami, doesn't seem to suffer as badly as the others. As Natty develops a friendship with Sami, she discovers that he owes his relative beauty to his activity as a mushroom trafficker. In exchange for the valuable fungi, Sami obtains time exposed to the sun: in fact, it is the complete absence of sun from the Untouchables' realm that leads to their deformed bodies and skin. Together, Sami and Natty make a plan to leave the shadows of the underworld and return to the light. But just as they are about to make their escape, a battalion of soldiers arrives... 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: A fantasy princess coming-of-age story set in a fantasy world? That checks all my boxes. Unfortunately, this graphic novel was not what I wanted. The fantasy setting is mostly appropriative. The tropes and cliches often present in this genre aren't diverged from enough, in my opinion. This book feels like it was written in the 80s or 90s. It is not very modern. 

My biggest problem with this book is the Untouchables. A caste system exists in this world, very reminiscent of that in India. My husband grew up in India so I have heard many stories involving caste dynamics. It's still an issue today for many people.There are even people today who still follow this idea, not touching those beneath them. In this book, the Untouchables are physically grotesque. There's some backstory that leads to why they are that way, but having the caste system being a physical representation rubbed me the wrong way.

There is so much emphasis on physical beauty in this book. It seems to want to breakdown fairy tale tropes, but it does not succeed. The first volume ends in the middle of a scene. I would read the second volume, but it just isn't modern enough for me. I wanted to see more respect for the cultures that inspired the fantasy world this French author created. I give this book a 2/5.  


--PAUL

Rose: A Double Life (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Rose: A Double Life
Authors: Denis Lapière & Émilie Alibert
Illustrator: Valérie Vernay
Release Date: June 19, 2019


Synopsis: Ever since she was a little girl, Rose has had a special and troubling power: the ability to “double” herself and travel outside her body. She always saw it as something wrong with her… until now. When her father is murdered, Rose’s strange ability gives her a chance to find her father’s killer, solve a series of mysterious cold cases, and untangle a centuries-old curse. But maybe some secrets should stay buried…

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: Rose has a unique ability. She can step outside of her physical body. She's been doing it since she was a child, but has never known how or why. She also doesn't know anyone else who can do the same. Her father just passed away. Rose tries to figure out his cause of death and whether she is in danger next. There are also ghosts.

This volume is only the start of the story. It's suspenseful and intriguing. This was a great setup and I hope to read the next part of this story. I give this book a 4/5. 


--PAUL

The World According to François: The Writer's Secret (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads


Title: The World According to François: The Writer's Secret
Author: Zabus 
Illustrator: Collin
Release Date: October 16, 2019



Synopsis: François has no interest in choosing between dream and reality: he wants both! Like all ten-year-olds, François has a lot of questions--but he puts his imagination to use to try to find the answers.

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: Francois is a kid with an excellent imagination. He comes up with inventive stories. He gets bullied so he tries to give up on storytelling, but some force won't let him. There's a mysterious lady and a whole magical world that is unveiled. There's some impressive world building. 

This is a fun, middle-grade graphic novel. It's fun and inspirational. This would make a great gift for a young, aspiring writer. I give this book a 4/5. 


--PAUL

Elma, a bear's life - Volume 1 - The Great Journey (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Elma, a bear's life - Volume 1 - The Great Journey
Author: Ingrid Chabbert 
Illustrator: Léa Mazé
Release Date: June 12, 2019


Synopsis: Elma is a joyful, free-spirited child who is being raised by a bear she thinks of as her father. But Papa Bear is hiding a secret, and the close-knit duo must make a long and perilous journey to begin a mysterious new life beyond the forest. Adventure and danger are in store as they discover the linked secrets of Elma's past and future.

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This graphic novel is about a talking bear raising a child. There' not much that happens in this first volume other than getting to know the characters. The "seven years are up" and something is changing for Elma. This volume does not have a resolved ending, but I wasn't engaged enough by this story to want to read onto the next volume. I have some lingering questions, but I just wanted more story in this volume. This graphic novel is cute and simple. I give this book a 2/5. 


--PAUL

Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from DC Entertainment via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Batman: Nightwalker (The Graphic Novel)
Adapted by: Stuart Moore
Novel written by: Marie Lu
Illustrated by: Chris Wildgoose
Release Date: October 1, 2019


Synopsis: Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Marie Lu, this graphic novel adaptation brings to life the dark mysteries behind the gates of Arkham Asylum. Nightwalkers are terrorizing Gotham City, and 18 year-old Bruce Wayne is next on their list.

Bruce Wayne is turning 18 and inheriting his family's fortune. But on the way home from his birthday party, he makes an impulsive choice that leads him to Arkham Asylym, the infamous mental hospital. There, he meets Madeline Wallace, a brilliant killer . . . and Bruce's only hope. Madeline is the mystery Bruce must unravel, but is he convincing her to divulge her secrets, or is he feeding her the information she needs to bring Gotham City to its knees?

Bruce Wayne is proof that you don't need superpowers to be a superhero, but can he survive Madeleine's game of tense intrigue and deception?

This graphic novel adaptation from New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu and artist Christian Wildgoose is a dark, action-packed thrill ride! 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I'm enjoying these Young Adult graphic novel takes on DC heroes. This graphic novel is an adaptation of Marie Lu's Batman YA novel. I haven't read that book so this was my first introduction to this story. Bruce Wayne is the world's youngest billionaire at age 18. An anarchist group known as the Nightwalkers are targeting Gotham's rich. Bruce is assigned community service at Akrham Asylum. 

I really enjoyed seeing Bruce Wayne as a modern teen. This book brings up interetsing topics of wealth responsibility and inequality in a capitalist society. Also how tragedy affects people differently. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. 


--PAUL

Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance
Writer: Ethan Sacks
Artists: Luke Ross & Lee Loughridge
Release Date: November 19, 2019


Synopsis: BEFORE THE EXCITING EVENTS OF STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER! Hounded by the FIRST ORDER across the galaxy, the RESISTANCE is in dire need of ships, weapons and recruits to make a final stand against KYLO REN'S forces. Desperation drives a delegation led by GENERAL LEIA ORGANA and REY to entreat the Rebel veteran's one-time allies, THE MON CALAMARI, to join the fight - but decades after Imperial occupation enslaved their planet, there are those willing to stop at nothing to prevent another war from bloodying the waters of Mon Cala. A system away, POE DAMERON and FINN have their own mission: to hunt down a weapons cache on the remote moon of Avedot, unaware that they are being hunted by the most notorious criminal gang in the galaxy!

Collecting: JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - ALLEGIANCE #1-#4

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This graphic novel takes place between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Like most Star Wars comics, our heroes split up and go on different missions that loosely connect to eachother. Finn and Poe go together, while Leia, Rey, Rose, and Chewbacca head to Mon Cala.

We haven't gotten to know our new heroes quite yet so it's nice to see them interacting. I really enjoyed seeing Poe and Finn together. Their onscreen chemistry translates well. I liked the amount of physical contact that is shown between them. I'm still hoping for a romantic relationship confirmation in The Rise of Skywalker, but I'm not banking on it. Rey's voice felt off to me this whole volume. Her actions and her dialogue just seemed off to me. Rey's actions in the second half of the volume more reflect her character, in my opinion. Rose on the other hand is portrayed very accurately and I loved seeing more of her. 

We get to see Mon Cala again, which has been popular in the comics. Admiral Ackbar's son makes an appearance. There's also a Clawdite shapeshifter, which has also been popular within the comics as well. 

I like seeing the new heroes in comics, but this story just wasn't exciting. I think I would have preferred if the focus had been on just one mission. Or if the stakes seemed higher. Again, I don't know what happens next in The Rise of Skywalker so maybe there's allusions to the future that I can't pick up on yet. I give this graphic novel a 3/5.


--PAUL

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 6: Unspeakable Rebel Superweapon
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artists: Caspar Wijngaard, Wilton Santos, Cris Bolson, & Andrea Broccardo
Recent Release Date: December 10, 2019

Vol.1: Aphra
Screaming Citadel
Vol.2: The Enormous Profit
Vol.3: Remastered
Vol.4: The Catastrophe Con
Vol.5: Worst Among Equals

Synopsis: After a year of close shaves, Doctor Chelli Aphra is taking it easy and lying low. Probably herding banthas or something. She's smart like that, right? No, not really. The galaxy's shadiest archaeologist is back doing what she does best: busting into alien temples to steal horrifying weapons for huge profi t. She just can't stop herself. But plenty of other people could. Powerful factions are watching closely: Rebel and Empire, familiar and strange - all calculating whether Aphra's more useful alive...or dead.

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA 32-36

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This continues to be my favorite ongoing Star Wars comic series. I absolutely adore that a lesbian hate-love romance is at the center of an ongoing Star Wars series. Representation absolutely matters. Doctor Aphra is such an interestingly complex character. This volume, especially, showcases the gray morality of the universe. No one thinks of themselves as evil in their own head. 

In this volume we get to see a little bit more about Aphra's past. We learn more about both of her parents. Aphra compares her own upbringing to her new not-a-ward Vulaada.

Black Krrsantan and Tolvan are back. This ongoing series utilizes its original characters so well, bringing them back in places that make sense. 

This volume was a little slow for me starting out, but by the end I was completely invested and loved how everything actually played out. Predictability, allegiances, and priorities are at the center of this volume. I give this book a 5/5. I'm looking forward to more Doctor Aphra!   


--PAUL

Star Wars, Vol. 12: Rebels and Rogues (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads


Title: Star Wars, Vol. 12: Rebels and Rogues
Writer: Greg Pek
Artist: Phil Noto
Release Date: November 19, 2019


Synopsis: Darth Vader is on the hunt for Luke Skywalker! Thousands of remote probes are sent into the far reaches of space looking for the Rebel Alliance. But the rebels send out desperate, heroic missions to lead them astray. Chewie and C-3PO lure a drone to a planet with an unstable core but learn of a secret droid civilization. With Star Destroyers and Darth Vader approaching, they must now protect these newfound droids. Luke Skywalker undertakes a mission to lead a drone away from a rebel refueling station but runs into the Force-sensitive human Bendoh. With Luke training to be a Jedi, will Bendoh be a valuable teacher or a simple grifter? Then, Han Solo and Princess Leia plan to use a drone to take down a local crime boss, but things get complicated when they run into Leia's ex! What could possibly go wrong?!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS 68-72

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This is the twelfth volume in this ongoing series and quite honestly, it's getting stale. I am absolutely ready for the jump past The Empire Strikes Back. I'm curious to see if they'll do any Shadows of the Empire plots. But in the mean time, this volume had our main heroes split up into duos. Han and Leia meet with an ex of Leia. Luke and Artoo search a desert planet and meet a force user. Chewbacca and Threepio discover some not-so-organic lifeforms.

There are some interesting ideas in this volume, but it just feels kind of boring. There's no big picture things going down It just feels like more missions that will be resolved and are just taking up the time until we get to Hoth. The stakes don't feel high. One thing I did enjoy seeing was Han and Leia's relationship starting to look like what it does in The Empire Strikes Back. 

I give this volume a 3/5. The heroes are divided and not much happens. There isn't even much resolution in this volume. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Age of Resistance - Villains (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Age of Resistance - Villains
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artists: Leonard Kirk, Cory Hamscher, & GURU-eFX
Recent Release Date: December 3, 2019

Age of Republic - Villains
Age of Republic - Heroes

Age of Rebellion - Villains
Age of Rebellion - Heroes

Age of Resistance - Heroes

Synopsis: This is the Age of Star Wars - an epic series of adventures that unites your favorite characters from all three trilogies! Now it's the First Order's turn to take center stage. As Captain Phasma leads an attack on the iron planet Demir, a young Stormtrooper looks to follow in Phasma's footsteps. But will she have the heart to follow the merciless ways of the First Order captain? General Hux has always been looked down upon, but when a sabotaged shuttle crash-lands on an unknown planet it will be up to Hux to save Kylo Ren! Plus: Tales of Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - CAPTAIN PHASMA 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - GENERAL HUX 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - KYLO REN 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - SUPREME LEADER SNOKE 1

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: The final volume in this series of shorts from each of the Star Wars eras. We know very little about these villains, so it's fun to finally get stories about them.

The first story shows Captain Phasma being ruthless. I enjoyed this comic so much more than the whole volume dedicated on her. This story really gets into Phasma's mind, showing her perspective on the troops that she leads. This is my favorite Phasma story so far, but I have yet to read Delilah S. Dawson's book. 5/5

General Hux is stranded on a planet with Kylo Ren. Hix manipulates the situation. This short comic story gave Hux way more character depth than both of the movies he's been in. 5/5

The story focusing on Supreme Leader Snoke shows him training Kylo Ren on Dagobah. There's also a fun twist ending. I'm interested to go back and read this after The Rise of Skywalker comes out. 5/5

Kylo Ren's story is my least favorite in this volume, but I still give it a 4/5. In this story he compares himself to Vader. 

Overall, I was very impressed with this volume. I didn't expect to enjoy a collection of villain's stories. Since most of these characters have had very little on-screen development, these stories got to give them a little more depth. This was my highest rated of these collections. 5/5

--PAUL

Star Wars: Age of Resistance - Heroes (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Age of Resistance - Heroes
Writers: Tom Taylor, G. Willow Wilson, & Chris Eliopoulos
Artists: Ramon Rosana, GURU-eFX, Matteo Buffagni, Elsa Charretier, & Javier Pina
Recent Release Date: November 26, 2019

Age of Republic - Villains
Age of Republic - Heroes

Age of Rebellion - Villains
Age of Rebellion - Heroes

Synopsis: This is the Age of Star Wars - an epic series of adventures that unite your favorite characters from all three trilogies! Explore untold tales of the greatest heroes of the Resistance. Finn starts to question the First Order as he is put on infestation control on Starkiller Base. Poe Dameron fancies himself the best pilot there is, but after a New Republic protocol droid is stolen he may just meet his better! Trapped in an asteroid fi eld, Poe will have to learn a thing or two from this mysterious pilot if he wants to survive. Rey, Chewie and R2-D2 start their journey to fi nd Luke Skywalker, but mechanical issues force them to land on the junkyard planet the Necropolis. Plus: Rose Tico, Admiral Holdo, Maz Kanata and BB-8!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - FINN 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - ROSE TICO 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - POE DAMERON 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE - REY 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE SPECIAL 1

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I was definitely excited to read this collection since we haven't gotten much content featuring the heroes from the prequel trilogy quite yet. I really enjoyed this volume. 

The first story features Finn as a janitor on Starkiller Base prior to the events of The Force Awakens. It really shows how different Finn was from the other First Order stormtroopers. He had compassion even when he was still technically with the bad guys. I give this story a 3/5. It was pretty boring and my least favorite of the stories in this volume.

The next story has Poe Dameron flying with Rapier Squadron in the New republic. A mysterious ship steals a droid's head and Poe chases them into danger. They bond by barely surviving. There's a really fun reveal. This one gets a 5/5.

Rose and Paige are the focus of the next story. This is a true origin story for the sisters, from childhood to joining the Resistance. I always want more stories about these two! 5/5

Rey's story is small, but exciting. It follows her in the moments leading up to and the travel to Ahch-To to find Luke. 5/5

The next story shows Maz Kanata being pretty badass. It also features a younger Han and Chewbacca. 4/5

I really enjoyed the young Holdo story. It's all about impressions. I feel like this story is so relevant to how so many people viewed her in The Last Jedi. 5/5. 

The last story in this volume is all about BB-8 being a kick-ass droid with a heart. BB-8 comes to the aid of other droids. 4/5

This was a really fun collection. Most of the stories are semi-origin stories or feature younger versions of the heroes we're still getting used to on the screen. I look forward to many comics featuring these characters in the future. I give this volume a 5/5. 


--PAUL

Gaia Blues by Gud (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Gaia Blues
Author: Gud
Release Date: February 15, 2017


Synopsis: Gaia is the ancient name of our Earth, a place now endangered by growing human pollution. A family of polar bears is about to discover what are the effects of this situation, in a story told entirely with no words.

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This book is very odd. There are great images depicting the effects of global climate change, but there' not very much of a story. And it's very surface level. There's not too much information provided. I was hoping for more conservation optimism. I have no idea who the intended audience is for this book. I give this book a 2/5 for its cute pictures and focus on climate change.


--PAUL

Hubert Reeves Explains Biodiversity (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Hubert Reeves Explains Biodiversity
Author: Nelly Boutinot & Hubert Reeves 
Illustrator: Daniel Casanave
Release Date: August 21, 2019


Synopsis: After spending many years gazing up at the stars, Hubert Reeves has turned his attention to the future of our planet. The world's friendliest and most enthusiastic astrophysicist takes us on a surprising journey, which will make us all realize how important it is to protect our environment.

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This is a graphic novel about biodiversity and its connection to us. The story takes the form of a field trip, kind of in the style of the Magic School Bus. But French. There are some odd cultural references that I believe are the result of this being a translation. This book does a good job of balancing human's uses of resources and the advances we are making to remedy all that we have done to the world. 

This book covers a lot of different things. Microbes, both from the distant past and now today. Things like fossil fuels and drinking water. Animal extinction and reintroduction stories. Invasive species.

This is an informational and fun story. With great artwork. A kid interested in nature and science would absolutely love this book. As an informal educator myself, I think the topics were handled age appropriately and with care. There's also a great piece about having discussions with people who think differently than you. It's a great ending to this science book. I give this graphic novel a 5/5. 


--PAUL

Worlds Unseen (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Europe Comics via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Amazon| Goodreads

Title: Worlds Unseen
Author: Georges Abolin
Illustrator: Olivier Pont
Release Date: September 18, 2019


Synopsis: 906. William is ten years old when his family leaves London for Barellito, a small Italian fishing village. The quiet of the village will not last long, however, thanks to the ripples created by the arrival of William and his family. His own life, too, is about to be upturned, in this remarkable and wondrous new land where he will find new southern landscapes, a new kind of liberty, and above all new friends: Paolo, Nino, and the charming Lisa, united forever by an extraordinary event and a strange object…

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: This graphic novel had a lot of interesting concepts, but I found it just boring. I never got into this story. I had difficulties figuring out the perspective. The book starts out in 1902 in Italy. Then it jumps forward four years. There's a young boy in a new city. A mysterious girl his ageA group of kids all born on the same day. They get high one night together...I think. There's some nudity and sex scenes. There was just a lot of different things happening, but still I was bored. 

I was very unsure who the audience for this book is supposed to be. It seems to be from the perspective of a child, but there's some adult material. 

The artwork was off-putting for me. There are some unusual facial expressions drawn that I was not able to interpret. 

Overall, some interesting ideas. But, I was bored. I give this book a 2/5.  


--PAUL