The Uprooted by Fred Duval
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm still quite new to Graphic Novels as a genre (format ?), so I never know exactly what to expect. But upon receiving my free copy of Renaissance: The Uprooted from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion (which is what you know you always get), I was very pleased to receive a "comic book" (which is what they were called in my day) made for adults.
Although it has no profanity, graphic sex, and only mild violence and is therefore okay for pre-teen or sensitive readers, it deals with the themes of marriage, family, death, loyalty, greed, individuality, and mankind's' future, even though the story is about aliens. All of these are cleverly woven through an interesting, quick-paced, and complex plotline.
The illustrations are lush, detailed, and set a perfect other,-worldly yet familiar ambiance, while the written words do exactly the same. In fact, it's a rare case where the different contributors each add their uniqueness to telling the story, yet work so well to enhance each other that it's hard to believe we are dealing with more than one writer.
I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to review it and happy that "Renaissance" was so enjoyable that it's certain I'll be continuing to read more Graphic Novels in the future.
Thanks for reading another one of my reviews.
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
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ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times by Andrew MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I'm still pretty new to Graphic Novels as a genre. I remember when they were called "Comic Books" and you usually read them over and over, while laying on your stomach on the floor with a snack in one hand as you slowly browsed the various pictures. It was supposed to be something to do to relax and enjoy yourself. So I still approach each Graphic Novel with that same "la-dee-da" attitude and ready to quietly meander wherever the story and pictures take me.
With that in mind, I was also not expecting great literature or an on the edge of my seat thrill-ride. Which is good, because I didn't get either of those things with ApocalyptiGirl. What I did get was an interesting, all be it run of the mill, dystopian story with a likable main character ... and her cat.
Aria is a young woman on earth with the assignment to seek out any unknown transmissions and a hidden power source, while trying to survive two warring factions, and the occasional attack of cannibals and mutant dogs. In between her searching and kicking serious butt, Aria wanders through her everyday life making the most out of her isolation as the only normal human being left on earth.
I found it a satisfying action story with a few funny moments and a few poignant moments added. Aria ponders some weightier issues but not for long because the action keeps at a pretty steady pace. The illustrations are not complex, but still hold some interesting details that you don't want to miss. So don't flip through them too quickly. But it's her interaction with her cat, Jellybean, that is definitely the high point of this read. And I personally enjoyed all the different creative words used to identify sounds. Like "skritch, skritch" to depict Aria scratching Jellybean's head.
Although it has many violent fight scenes, they aren't illustrated too graphically. And with only mild profanity (hell) and no sexual content at all, I would say it's okay for pre-teens and above.
It's not a very long book, so if you're looking for an interesting Graphic Novel with a strong and capable young woman as the protagonist, ApocalyptiGirl is a good way to spend a relaxing hour. May I personally recommend you get yourself a package of Strawberry Twizzlers licorice as the corresponding munchie of choice?
Thanks for reading another one of my reviews.
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
P.S. Note that the book cover depicted here is not the actual one and does not reflect the book's illustrations. It must be a throwback to a previous version.
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