Friday, January 19, 2018

Dream of The Butterfly Vol 1: Rabbits on the Moon (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Diamond Book Distributors via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Dream of The Butterfly Vol 1: Rabbits on the MoonAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: 
Dream of The Butterfly Vol 1: Rabbits on the Moon
Author: Richard Marazano
Artist: Luo Yin
Upcoming Release Date: January 23, 2018

Synopsis: Tutu is lost in a village where winter is eternal and the rabbits of the secret police find her guilty of one of the worst crimes imaginable—being a little girl! The Emperor of this strange town holds the key to her redemption, but it will come at a price.



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Review: This graphic novel has the feel of a Studio Ghibli film. There is wonder and beautiful artwork. The story is a familiar one. A young girl accidentally finds her way into a strange world where she doesn't belong. There are themes of growing up and not fitting in. The style of this story is in the vein of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Narnia, or Labyrinth.


The character design is wonderful. Every background character has been fully imagined in this strange world of eternal winter. The colors accurately reflect the feel of the different environments. 

Although this is a beautiful comic, I felt it didn't have enough heart in the story. I wasn't exactly sure what what happening for most of the story, but that may be intentional. I think if this had been an animated film with a lush score and the same art style, it may have caught my attention more and delivered for me emotionally. I also wasn't a fan of the cliffhanger ending. I was hoping for a more completed story. 

I give this comic a 3/5. The artwork is excellent, but the story just didn't pull me in. 


--PAUL

Monday, January 8, 2018

Paul's TOP FIVE COMIC BOOKS Read in 2017

Out of the 47 books I read in 2017, a large majority were comic books. I read mostly Star Wars and Power Rangers comics, but also some other great ones. I got to read some awesome comics with queer representation this year. Below you will find the TOP FIVE comic books that I read in 2017. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!



 MY TOP 5 COMIC BOOKS OF 2017







    




What were your favorite comics of 2017? What comics are you looking forward to in 2018?


--PAUL

Paul's TOP TEN Books Read in 2017

I read 47 of 50 books for my 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge for a second year in the row. Thus, I am setting my 2018 Reading Challenge goal at 47 books. 2017 was the year of graphic novels for me.  I read so many Star Wars and Power Rangers comics, but also some great comics with queer representation. Since I read so many comics, I'm going to make a separate post about my TOP FIVE COMICS. This is the top non-comic books I read in 2017 (And I may have finished one of them on January 3rd, but it didn't count toward my 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge). There were a lot of great YA books released in 2017 and I'm hoping to get to some of them this year that I missed. Below you will find the TOP TEN books that I read in 2017. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!  




 MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2017














What were your favorite books of 2017? What books are you looking forward to in 2018?


--PAUL

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Leia: Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray - Paul's REVIEW



Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads


Title: 
Leia: Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi)
Author: Claudia Gray
Recent Release Date: September 1, 2017

Review of LOST STARS by Claudia Gray
Review of BLOODLINE by Claudia Gray

Synopsis: The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire, from best-selling author Claudia Gray.



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Review: Claudia Gray is one of the best authors writing Star Wars right now. And that's saying a lot, because there have been some wonderful Star Wars books in the past few years. If you haven't read Lost Stars (the YA forbidden love story that takes place over the original trilogy ending in the Battle of Jakku) or Bloodline (Leia between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens) you need to go read them NOW! It is not necessary for reading this book, but there are some references.


This book shows Leia when she is going through her coming-of-age rituals on Alderaan. I really enjoyed learning about Alderaan's culture. Queen Breha is such an awesome character. This book does so well filling in gaps in the Star Wars universe. Since this is one of the books made leading up to The Last Jedi, there are references to places and people featured in the movie. You get to meet Holdo when she was a junior senator just meeting Leia. I'm hoping for a Holdo book that explains her absence from the original trilogy. 

There is so much heart in this book. The relationship between Leia and her parents is written so well. There are things that make Leia the woman she is in the original trilogy. There's also some great moral dilemmas that arise. Claudia Gray portrays galactic politics so well in her books. 

I obviously give this book a 5/5. If you're a Star Wars fan like me, this is definitely worth picking up. Even if you've never read a Star Wars book before and just want a YA book about Leia, this is it!     


--PAUL

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 3: Legend Lost (comic) - Paul's REVIEW




Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 3, Legend lostAmazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: 
Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 3: Legend Lost
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Angel Unzueta
Recent Release Date: November 14, 2017

Review of Vol.1: Black Squadron
Review of Vol.2: The Gathering Storm

Synopsis: It's a sad day for Poe Dameron and the Resistance, as they mourn the loss of a fallen comrade. But their fight is far from over - the First Order must be stopped! And Captain Phasma knows just how to get Terex to toe the line. Follow the continuing the adventures of the galaxy's greatest pilot!



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Review: In this third volume of the ongoing Poe Dameron series, we get to learn a little more about the members of Black Squadron. I like how their backstories are gradually being revealed. There's also a new journalist character that adds an interesting dynamic, a different perspective in the Star Wars universe. Terex's story over this series is also been a roller coaster. It seems like Marvel is using these original characters to show change and development, since they can't reveal much of the characters still being featured in the movies. We do get to see a little more of Leia in this one. I love seeing her as a mother figure.


I give this volume a 4.5/5. It's another great entry in the Poe Dameron series. 

  


--PAUL

Monday, January 1, 2018

Star Wars: Darth Maul (comic) - Paul's REVIEW




Darth Maul (Star Wars)Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Darth Maul

Writers: Cullen Bunn & Chris Eliopoulos
Artist: Luke Ross
Recent Release Date: September 5, 2017

Synopsis: Raised on hate, fear and anger...steeped in the ways of darkness...and trained to kill! Darth Maul's time as apprentice to Darth Sidious has long been cloaked in shadows - now at last his tale of revenge is revealed! It's a story of rage unleashed as Darth Maul prepares for his first encounter with the hated Jedi. But when a Jedi Padawan is captured by sinister forces, why is Maul so determined to find her? And what role will a band of bounty hunters, including Cad Bane and Aurra Sing, play? Get to know the galaxy's deadliest Zabrak like never before!



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Review: This story is set before Episode I. There are so many connections to different Star Wars eras. I loved it! There are aliens from the prequels, the original trilogy, and even The Force Awakens. The crowd scenes feel even more Star Wars because of this. There are even characters featured from the animated shows. Cad Bane and Aurra Sing! 


The artwork in this graphic novel is beautiful. I love the imagery of red and blue representing good and evil as well as the skin colors and lightsabers of Darth Maul and his jedi combatant. 

I give this graphic novel a 5/5. I hope Marvel makes more comics set in this era. 


--PAUL