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

Book Review: Lore Olympus Vol. 4

Title: Lore Olympus: Vol. 4

Author: Rachel Smythe

Series/Standalone: Lore Olympus (Volume 4)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mythology

Pages: 416

Publisher: Random House Worlds

Year Published: 2023

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The rumor mill of Olympus is constantly churning, but Persephone and Hades are all anyone can talk about. With the constant gossip creating intense pressure on the pair, they decided to slow down their budding romance and focus on sorting out their own issues first.

But that's easier said than done.

Hades struggles to find support in his personal life, with Zeus trivializing his feelings and Minthe resorting to abusive patterns in their relationship. And while Hades tries to create healthier boundaries where he can-- likely finally putting a stop to his sporadic, revenge-fueled hookups with Hera- he still feels lonely and adrift.

Persephone feels equally ostracized as her classmates shut her for her connection to Hades, and she can find no refuge at home, with Apollo constantly dropping by unannounced and pushing his unwelcome advances. And on top of it all, the wrathful god of war, Ares, has returned to Olympus to dredge up his sordid history with the goddess of spring, threatening to surface Persephone's dark and mysterious past and ruin her tenuous position in the land of the gods.

Despite agreeing to take it slow, Persephone and Hades find themselves inextricably drawn toward each other once more amid the chaos. The pull of fate cannot be denied."

My Rating: 5/5

I have loved reading these physical copies of the Webtoon original comics. The art, the way the story is told, the setting of Olympus as a modern space while the mortal realm is still in traditional god-themed times. I can't wait to continue the series. 

Thanks for reading

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 4

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 4

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks (Volume 4)

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 232

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Unable to process the horrifying events of the past few months, Seiichi's anger, fear, and frustration boil over. But even as he is haunted by the memory of his mother's hands around his throat, he finds his voice again thanks to his classmate Fukiishi. Their puppy love provides a tenderness he has been missing, but it quickly comes under threat from his mother's insane jealousy.

Torn between the two women in his life, Seiichi is forced to make a choice that could bring his whole world crashing down."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Again I binge-read this and it left me unsettled, but wanting to read more as soon as possible. The way the author writes the scenes and lays out the art just adds so much depth to the thrilling aspects of this story. The cliffhangers and the baseline emotions that are seen throughout help the reader remain in suspense. Can't wait to read more. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Attack on Titan Vol. 4

Title: Attack on Titan Vol. 4

Author: Haijime Isayama

Artist(s): Haijime Isayama

Series/Standalone: Attack on Titan Series (Volume 4)

Genre: Manga, Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 192

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Year Published: 2011

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"HUMANITY PUSHES BACK!

The Survey Corps develop a risky gambit- have Eren in Titan form attempt to repair Wall Rose, reclaiming human territory from the monsters for the first time in a century. But Titan-Eren's self-control is far from perfect, and when he goes on a rampage, not even Armin can stop him! With the survival of humanity on his massive shoulders, will Eren be able to return to his sense, or will he lose himself forever?"

My Rating: 4/5

This might have been one of my favourites so far from this series. I really enjoyed hearing more about the backstories but also seeing the action and training the soldiers had to go through I appreciate it. It was excellent, just felt a bit disjointed between the time jumps at first.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Heartstopper: Volume 4

Title: Heartstopper: Volume 4

Author: Alice Oseman

Artist(s): Alice Oseman

Series/Standalone: Heartstopper (Volume 4)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, LGBT

Pages: 384

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 2021

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love and everything that happens in between: this is the fourth volume of HEARTSTOPPER, for fans of The Art of Being Normal, Holly Bourne and Love, Simon.

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.

Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot of his mind- not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.

As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.

Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger which speaks to all of us."

My Rating: 5/5

This review is coming quite a bit later than when I finished reading this volume because I got married this past week! Super exciting stuff and it was so busy that imagine this, a review slipped my mind. But not to worry I'm back at it. This was a great instalment of the series. It is both a sweet and heartfelt story, alongside tackling more serious topics for a young audience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more. Would recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in picking it up!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Chosen by Marjorie Liu

Title: The Chosen

Author: Marjorie M. Liu

Artist(s): Sana Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Volume 4

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Maika and Corvin make their way through a warped and lethal land in search of Kippa, who is faced with her own terrible monsters. But when Maika comes face-to-face with a stranger from her deep past, startling truths are uncovered, and at the center of it all lurks a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the Known World. Maika is finally close to getting all the answers she ever wanted, but at what price? With war on the horizon- a war no one wants to stop- whose side will Maika choose?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

I took too long of a break in between this volume and the last one. I'll admit it. I was starting to feel lost again at the start of this volume just because I couldn't remember what had happened, but after taking a minute and thinking about it I figured it out (as much as I ever do in this series). I liked the views of many different betrayals, and that in itself interests me, but I just didn't love this volume as much as I wanted to. Hope to enjoy the next one more.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: High Fantasies by Kurtis J. Wiebe

 Title: High Fantasies

Author(s): Kurtis J. Wiebe

Artist(s): Owen Gieni

Series/Standalone: Rat Queens Series (Volume 4)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Adult

Pages: 128

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2017

Format: Paperback Copy (Borrowed)

"Th Queens are back! Palisade is still a rat-infested hell hole, and Violet, Hannah, Dee, Betty and the brand-new Queen Braga are the only hope of saving it! It's been a long time since they've done a good slaughter, so join them as they get back to the basics of killing monsters and drinking away the profits! This is a fresh, hilarious new take on the Rat Queens with new artist Owen Gieni!"

My Rating: 2.5/5

What in the hell was this? I'm seriously asking. We're going to drop some mad plot last volume and some crazy backstory and then we are just going to backpedal on it and act like none of it even happened?!?!?!? That is unacceptable. I don't know who this new Rat Queens volume is supposed to appeal to but it sure as hell isn't me thus far. In my opinion, the characters have had character changes that don't make any sense (acting like different people), and the humour just isn't what I wanted after reading the first 3 volumes and loving them. I hope that this switches back to the plotline we were on in the first 3, but I have a feeling it may not. And that is a tragedy.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny