Unnatural Vol. 2: The Hunt (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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

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Title: Unnatural Vol. 2: The Hunt
Writer & Illustrator: Mirka Andolfo
Upcoming Release Date: April 16, 2019

Unnatural, Volume 1 REVIEW

Synopsis: Leslie hides within herself a power that many are longing for. After losing her best friends because of an organization that is chasing her, the pig girl finds herself alone and confused with a group of rebels. Will she be able to join the fight against a government that blames the interpersonal relationships considered wrong, considering that she has difficulty keeping the wolf that lives inside her in check? Collects UNNATURAL #5-8

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Review: This second volume in the Unnatural series picks up with Leslie on the run. This whole volume has a feel or urgency. Some more history is revealed, but there's always more questions that come with more information. 

This is an adult comic. There is nudity and sexual situations. It's done in a tasteful way that contributes to the story. The parallels to discrimination and prejudices in our world are done very well. It's a world full of animal people, but so many of the same messaging applies. 

I'm enjoying this series, but this second volume didn't keep my attention as much as the first. I give this book a 3/5. Definitely go check out the first volume if you haven't. The worldbuilding is so intriguing and the art style is beautiful.   


--PAUL

Swing Vol. 1 (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Image Comics via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Swing Vol. 1
Authors: Matt Hawkins & Jenni Cheung
Artist: Linda Sejic
Recent Release Date: April 25, 2018

Synopsis: Spinning off from the universe of SUNSTONE comes a slice-of-life romantic story about a couple trying to regain the sexual energy from the beginning of their relationship by swinging with other couples. An emotional journey of two people fighting to stay in love.

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Review: This graphic novel has nudity and sex. It follows a straight couple as they meet in college and continue their relationship through marriage and kids. After being married for awhile, their sex life stagnates and they try out swinging to see if it can aid their relationship.

The graphic novel opens with a story about a first time swinging experience as well as vocabulary and a basic introduction to the Lifestyle. The rest of the comic is an interesting look into one couple's life and their experiences with experimenting. 

The artwork is wonderful and the sex scenes are shown tastefully, while still remaining hot. I'd say this book is both educational and sexy. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. It's cool that there are comics like this out there with such sex positive messages.   


--PAUL

A Matter of Disagreement by E.E. Ottoman - Paul's Review

**I was provided an eARC of this novella by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

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Title: A Matter of Disagreement
Author: E.E. Ottoman
Year Published: 2014

**This novella is MATURE**

Synopsis: The rise of mechanical animation, and its popularity at court, is threatening to end Andrea's scholarly pursuits of spell craft and literature—and force him to let go of his assistants, who depend on him to support their families. In retaliation against the field that is ruining his life, Andrea begins to campaign against it. The efforts gain him notoriety, but do not solve his financial dilemmas.

When he is dragged to a party by his brother, he comes face to face with the man who pioneered mechanical animation: Leon Gregory de la Marche VI, Marquis de la Marche. And he is not at all what Andrea expected.

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Review: This novella is set in a world of high society where technology and magic are closely related. The world is a lot bigger than this novella and it isn't explored very much. I thought the story was quite short. I think the story and the world building could have been expanded into a novel. I wanted to know more about the magic aspect of the world.

I didn't really connect with the romance in this novella. I did enjoy that queer characters were accepted in this world though. This is definitely an adult novella, but you wouldn't know until the ending. The last about 10% is pretty much erotica. I was a little surprised by it. 

I give this novella a 3/5. I enjoyed the novella, but I wanted more. The story had more potential and I never really got to understand the world.

--Paul