It's Your Funeral (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Iron Circus 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: It's Your Funeral
Author: Emily Riesbeck
Artists: Ellen Kramer & Matt Krotzer
Release Date: July 21, 2020


Synopsis: Marnie Winters was going to turn her life around; get out of the house, make friends, no more “Miserable Old Marnie!” Everything was going to plan, but then, of course, she died. Now, Marnie’s a ghost trapped on Earth, and the only one who can help her is the overenthusiastic, alien social worker, Xel, whose job is to help ghosts “close their file” and pass on. Are you ready for a sweetly nostalgic trip through Marnie’s life, correcting mistakes and righting what once went wrong? Well sorry, this isn’t that story! Xel has a much better idea to soothe Marnie’s troubled spirit: an internship in the hopeless bureaucracy of the trans-dimensional Department of Spectral Affairs!

This new do-gooder duo has their work cut out for them in a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures throughout the space-time continuum (but mostly in and around the office) as Marnie finds pathways through her feelings of worthlessness by helping others.

A paranormal fantasy about healing, learning to love yourself, and being OK with being not OK, It’s Your Funeral is the cosmic office comedy you’ve been dying to read! 

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Review: The Department of Spectral Affairs. This comic is essentially The Office meets a paranormal afterlife. The first issue is really fun and establishes the world well through the main character who is unfamiliar with the afterlife. The premise of the series is set up well: a ghost as an intern, essentially. Each issue following gives a little more focus on the other residents of the office.

This book is a fun, light-hearted story about people making sure dead spirits pass on to the next dimension. The characters are quirky, both in personality and illustration, and it's a pleasant read. It doesn't go to deep. I give this book a 4/5.


--PAUL

Pistouvi (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Magnetic Press 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: Pistouvi
Author: Merwan
Artists: Bertrand Gatignol
Release Date: November 10, 2020


Synopsis: Childhood should last forever...

Jeanne is a little girl who lies with a mischievous young fox named Pistouvi. They share a charming little treehouse surrounded by a magical prairie tended by a giant 'tractor-man' and the wind-spirit he loves. Together, Jeanne and Pistouvie spend frolicking days without a care, but soon, the birds arrive and everything changes...

A beautiful, lyrical fable about the inevitable transition from childhood freedom to adult responsibility, replete with laughs, nostalgia and heartache.

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Review: The artwork in this book is beautiful. Everything is anthropomorphized. The animals, of course, but also even tractors and clouds. The way the story plays out reminds me of a video game, specifically something like Legend of Zelda. The fox even eats everything. Or, at least, wants to eat everything.

This book did not connect with me. It seemed like individual disconnected stories with the same characters. I could not find the larger story. And did not have the interest to try and figure out what exactly was happening. I give this book a 2/5. Great artwork, but I had no idea what was happening in the story.


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender--The Art of the Animated Series - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Books 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: Avatar: The Last Airbender--The Art of the Animated Series
Author: Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko
Upcoming Release Date: November 24, 2020


Synopsis: Join series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino for an unpreccendented behind-the-scenes look at hundreds of pieces of concept, design, and production art as they take you on a guided tour through the development of this smash-hit television series in this new edition of the beloved artbook. Learn how Avatar: The Last Airbender took shape, from the very first sketch through the series finale, and beyond! This new edition comes with a brand new forward from long time Avatar the Last Airbender series writer Gene Luen Yang.

Avatar: The Last Airbender has been syndicated to more than 120 countries around the world, inspiring millions of fans and industry professionals alike and garnering numerous industry honors--including wins at the prestigious Annie, Peabody, and Primetime Emmy awards.

Perfect for fans of all ages!

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Review: This art book follows the journey from conception to conclusion of the animated tv series Avatar: The last Airbender. This book is full of interesting images and facts. There are guides for the different seasons showcasing the architecture, locations, creatures, characters, clothing, culture, technology, and more. I especially enjoyed the details about the original pilot.

I give this book a 4/5. It's a great look into the making of an amazing series that has become a classic. This book would be a great gift for any Avatar fans.


--PAUL

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! (picture book) - Paul's REVIEW

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

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Title: Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History
Author: Joy Ellison

Illustrator: Tesh Silver
Upcoming Release Date: November 19, 2020


Synopsis: "Someday girls like us will be able to wear whatever we want. People will call us by the names we choose. They'll respect that we are women. The cops will leave us alone and no one will go hungry."

Sylvia and Marsha are closer than sisters. They are kind and brave and not afraid to speak their truth, even when it makes other people angry.

This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of colour who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation.

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Review: This picture book showcases two amazing trans women of color! It's the Stonewall Riots in children's book format. Plus a glimpse into these two women's lives. This book addresses homelessness. Police are seen as the antagonist, but in a way that is children appropriate. 

After the story, there's plenty of additional resources. There are details and information so that adults can give some context to children who have additional questions. And so the adults have that information for themselves as well. There are even external resources. And some activities. 

The events shown in this book are made appropriate for children so not all the details are there. 

I give this book a 5/5. I love seeing books like this for children. Especially showcasing trans women of color from history.


--PAUL

Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

 *I received this book as an eARC from Iron Circus 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: Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance
Author: SW Searle
Upcoming Release Date: November 17, 2020 January 26, 2021


Synopsis: Patience is a kindhearted country girl, eking out a living in Edwardian England as tremors of social change rock the world around her. When she starts her employment in formal service on the grounds of an opulent country manor, she has no idea that her own personal revolution is about to begin.

Selfless, dutiful, and just a touch naive, she takes to both her place as a parlor maid and to her new roommate, the bookish and progressive lady’s maid, Esther. In another time, the two women would have kept one another’s company forever in their little attic bedroom, living out their days in the employ of a Lord. But it’s now the dawn of a new age. The expanding empire has brought with it not only plundered wealth, but worldliness and new ideas. Suffragists agitate in the street, idle-rich bohemians challenge sexual mores, and Patience and Esther slowly come to realize the world is wider and full of more adventure and opportunity than they ever imagined . . . so long as they find the will to seize it.

Sensual, sweet, and beautifully illustrated, PATIENCE & ESTHER is a steamy period romance and an inspirational erotic journey across the epic sweep of history, from the end of a gilded age to the start of an uncharted future.

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Review: I LOVED this book! It's basically Downton Abbey BUT sapphic! This is the first exotic Edwardian sapphic romance graphic novel that I have read. It is explicit erotica, so there is plenty of nudity.

The story starts in 1910. Like I said, it has those Downton Abbey Downstairs vibes while also featuring characters of color and queer characters. Two women find each other and find a way to stay together through many different hardships. They find happiness.

There's also a Coffee Shop AU story at the end! 

This is such a great romance story. I give this book a 5/5. If you like sapphic erotica and period drama, you will enjoy this book.


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures and Team Avatar Tales (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse 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: Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures and Team Avatar Tales
Authors: Gene Luen Yang & Faith Erin Hicks
Illustrators: Gurihiru & Sara Goetter
Upcoming Release Date: November 10, 2020


Synopsis: The comics continuation of Nickelodeon's hit series Avatar: The Last Airbender returns with a treasure trove of short stories, collected for the first time in hardcover!

Follow Team Avatar as they journey through the four nations! From Earth King Kuei to the Kyoshi Warriors, and Mai to the Boulder, your favorite Avatar: The Last Airbender friends are back for a wide-ranging exploration of life in their world. And where they go, danger, fun, and hijinks are sure to follow!

This full-color hardcover collects short stories from The Lost Adventures and Team Avatar Tales, and includes the work of fan-favorite creators like Michael Dante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru, Faith Erin Hicks, Kiku Hughes, and many more! Add this gorgeous collection to your bookshelf today!

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Review: This is a big book of many short comic stories. Really short. Most of the stories are comedic. Some have messages. The stories come in all different styles. They feature interesting "off screen" moments from the tv series. The book is compiled in chronological order. 

This book would make a great coffee book or casual read for any Avatar fan. There are so many stories and they're of various quality. I give this book a 4/5. 


--PAUL

Last Dance (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

 *I received this book as an eARC from Iron Circus 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: Last Dance
Author: Hanna Schroy
Upcoming Release Date: November 3, 2020


Synopsis: “For years I’ve watched ballerinas from this room. I want what you want. I wish to join them.”

Miriam has trained her whole life to fulfill her dreams and it’s finally paid off now that she’s the prima ballerina of the Lulli Dance Company, but she’s been keeping a secret from them. The years of sprains, fractures, and bruises have been taking their toll, and a catastrophic ankle injury now means one terrible thing: she has to give it all up forever. Distraught beyond consolation, Miriam runs from the studio and discovers a secret room she’s never seen before. Inside she finds a pair of gleaming white and gold slippers, and a mysterious voice whispering to her in the dark. If she tries on the slippers, it says, she’ll regain the strength to raise en pointe. It speaks the truth! Soon, Miriam is back, but each achievement on her journey back means more negotiation with the spirit who claims it wants just one harmless thing in return . . . to join the ballerinas and dance, just like her.

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Review: This graphic novel follows a Dance Company as they experience some paranormal things. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect to this story. It took a while for the story to get started. I wanted more emotions earlier. It took awhile to get to the interesting parts. 

The dialogue is stilted and unnatural. The artwork is blocky and pretty basic when it comes to the color scheme, but it works for the story. 

I give this book a 2/5. It didn't connect with me. If you have experienced the drama of prima ballerinas in a Dance Company, you may enjoy this story more than I did. 


--PAUL