Book Review: Crown of Horns by Jeff Smith

Title: Crown of Horns

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 9)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 232

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 2004

Format: Hardcover

"Trapped in the dungeon while the fate of the Valley is decided by two raging armies, Thorn is haunted by the dangerous and mysterious object of power known as the Crown of Horns. Guarded by dragons, the Crown of Horns is the only thing that can stop the Locust and end the war... but how, and at what price? Fone Bone believes he knows the answer, and he must decide where his heart truly lies..."

My Rating: 3/5

This series wasn't all I hoped it would be. I felt that there were too many repetitions, and while I respect it was one of the first very popular graphic novels for young adults that I interacted with it's not the best one I've read. I may still read the prequel if the urge strikes, but I'm not in a huge rush.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith

Title: Treasure Hunters

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 8)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 144

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 2002

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"The Bone cousins, Gran'ma Ben, and Thorn reach the city of Atheia, where they prepare to battle The Lord of Locusts. Meanwhile, Thorn's visions are becoming more threatening, and Phoney Bone is convinced Atheia is rich in gold, and he is determined to find it!"

My Rating: 3/5

While I'm glad I'm finishing this series, some of the content feels repetitive. Phoney Bone is obviously intended to be an unlikeable character, but his repetition of not learning from his own mistakes if frustrating and annoying to read. I like the Thorn plot line, and I look forward to seeing how the series ends.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Old Man's Cave by Jeff Smith

Title: Old Man's Cave

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 6)

Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Pages: 128

Publisher: Cartoon Books

Year Published: 1997

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"As war spreads through the Valley and the rat creature mount a vicious offense, Gran'ma, Lucius, Phoney Bone and the villagers join the Veni Yan warriors and set up base camp at Old Man's Cave to make a final stand against the Rat Creature army. Will Fone Bone be able to hold the alliance together? Will the rat creatures finally take over the valley and unleash the power of the Lord of the Locusts? Find out and discover much much more in this pivotal book."

My Rating: 3/5

I enjoyed this one; it was fine, but it felt rather short for what it was. I am curious to see how the rest of the story plays out, but I'm starting to wonder if I have even the foggiest idea where this is going.  I'm feeling a little lost.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Rock Jaw Master of the Eastern Border by Jeff Smith

Title: Rock Jaw Master of the Easter Border

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 5)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 116

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1998

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Trying to return a rat creature cub to the mountains, Fone & Smiley Bone encounter yet another adversary: the sly and mighty mountain lion, Rock Jaw.

In this fifth volume of the BONE saga, Fone and Smiley Bone strike out into the wilderness to return a lost rat creature cub to the mountains. It doesn't take long before they run smack into Rock Jaw, "Master of the Eastern Border," an enormous mountain lion with a none-too-friendly disposition. Life gets even more complicated when they befriend a group of baby animals who are being orphaned by rat creature attacks. Everything comes to a head in an earth-shattering clash between Rock Jaw and Kingdok, the leader of the rat creatures."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was not what I expected to read in this next installment. It wasn't what I was hoping for, and while the plot was interesting and we gained some intrigue, I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith

Title: The Dragonslayer

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 4)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 168

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1996

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Jeff Smith's New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning BONE books are one of the most popular graphic novel series of all time! Fone Bone confronts a host of Along with Gran'ma Ben and Thorn, he has a terrifying encounter with Kingdok, ruler of the Rat Creatures. The Hooded One is inciting their army to full-scale war. Someone is continuing to haunt Thorn in her dreams. And then Gran'ma Ben disappears. To make matters worse, Phoney Bone has hoodwinked the townspeople into believing that he is a mighty dragonslayer. When he actually does catch the Red Dragon- much to his surprise-- he must face up to his promise-- to slay the dragon at sunrise."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I don't know if it was the length of this one or if I just was struggling to focus on it, but this one had a lot of action, but almost felt like it was a touch too long. I enjoyed it. I love where the plot is going and the art is great, I'm curious to see how the next volume continues on this arc. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Eyes of the Storm

Title: Eyes of the Storm 

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 3)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 174

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1994

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In 'Eyes of the Storm,' volume three of the nine-book BONE saga, Lucius, Smiley and Phoney survive an attack by the rat creatures and return safely to Lucius' taven in Barrelhaven. Phoney, desperate to win a bet with Lucius, stokes the townspeople's fear of dragons and boasts that he is a professional dragonslayer. Back at the farm, Fone Bone and Thorn are troubled by strange dreams, and Gran'ma Ben's reaction to them is stranger still: She reveals long-kept secrets and warns of great danger. Thorn, Fone Bone, and Gran'ma Ben may have to leave the farm forever."

My Rating: 5/5

I remember reading this volume when I was in middle school, and it blew my mind. At that time, my library didn't have any of the other volumes, so I stopped reading there. This is one of my favourites so far in the series, and I look forward to continuing on and seeing where this series takes me. I think there are more than nine books in the series now. I'm looking forward to continuing and learning more about the forces at play. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

Title: Out from Boneville

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 138

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1991

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins. Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.

One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures.

Humor, mystery and adventure are spun together in this action-packed, side-splitting sage. Everyone who has ever left home for the first time only to find that the world outside is strange and overwhelming will love Bone."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I originally read this when I was quite young and loved it. This time I found that the art was fun but the plot wasn't as encompassing as I remembered. I hope that this series picks up and I look forward to how the series continues.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny