Review: MANGA CLASSICS: EMMA by Stacy King & Po Tse

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Manga Classics, Graphic Novel, Jane Austen, Historical Romance, Not-as-good-as-Johnny-Lee-Miller

Release Date: May 12, 2015

About the Book: Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I love Jane Austen. I really like reading manga. This should be a match made in heaven, but honestly, it felt more run of the mill, very middle of the road. I think Emma has to be my least favorite of Austen's novels. I find Emma herself to be very childish sometimes, which gets on my nerves. And I got the same impression while reading the Manga Classics: Emma. But if you think about it, that is a good thing. Why? Because that means this manga adaptation of a classic, well beloved novel appropriately portrays the spirit of the original.

There are several graphic novel interpretations of Austen's work out there, the styles ranging from overly cartoony to very life-like. Manga Classics: Emma is very much in the manga style - including chibi figures in moments of high emotion. While this is something I have come to understand and even appreciate in manga, a friend of mine read it and felt that it made the classic novel feel immature. I appreciated the art throughout this graphic novel. The characters were consistent, the outfits fitting and looked appropriate for the time period. I just wished Mr. Knightley would have looked a little less like a cheap villain - it was the strange goatee that did him in, I think.

Overall, this was a good adaptation. It's hard to review a graphic novel version of a classic without it becoming a strange compare and contrast, so I have done my best. Manga Classics: Emma has done well taking a book full of complex characters and intertwining story-lines and making it not only understandable, but a fast and fun read.

Cover Lovin': This is certainly a very sweet looking cover. And I'm stuck thinking it both does and does not convey the story very well.

Recommendation: This is one of those niche books. Austen-ites (Jane-ites?) would eat it up - anything for a new Austen fix. But it probably won't appeal to anyone that doesn't already like manga, considering manga is incredibly stylized.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). A good adaptation, but not the best of the Manga Classics by far.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: Frankenstein: Dover Graphic Novel Classics by Mary Shelley

Disclaimer: I received a free, e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Type: Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Classics, Dover Graphic Novel Classics, Teen, Young Adult, Who is really the monster here?

About the Book: Generations of readers have thrilled to the story of a young doctor who dared to play God and the horrible consequences of his experiment. This graphic novel offers an easy-to-read version of Mary Shelley's classic of Gothic horror. Original illustrations, accompanied by condensed narrative and dialogue, bring new life to an enduring tale. This Dover Graphic Novel Classic offers readers ages 8 and up an exciting introduction to a time-honored tale. Expertly abridged and packed with dramatic illustrations, this version offers a streamlined narrative that retains all of the storytelling essentials. [Synopsis from the publisher.]

My Review: This graphic novel version of Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein" is on par with the rest of the series. These short, easy to read graphic novels are a great way to revisit classic literature without taking up a huge chunk of your day. But the key word is short. At just under 40 pages, this is not enough to give you the full gist of the novel.

Like the other Dover Graphic Novel Classics reviewed on Novel Addiction (See Dracula and Sherlock Holmes), these would be best used as a read-along, or a revisit of an old favorite. For example, I would eagerly hand this out to a student struggling with the imagery and language of Frankenstein.

But what this graphic novel does well is convey the story and emotion of the original novel. Of all the Dover Graphic Novel Classics I have read thus far, this one would probably be the worst. Still a solid three stars, but it needed to be longer.

Cover Lovin': This fits in perfectly with the rest of the Dover Graphic Novel Classics line. Black and white with just an eye-catching splash of red.

Recommendation: For readers that want a quick refresh of the original novel. Not recommended as a solo read - it doesn't even come close to capturing the whole novel.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5).

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Dracula" by Bram Stoker & John Green (Dover Graphic Novel Classics)

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: November 19, 2014

Type: Dover Graphic Novel Classics, Graphic Novel, Classic, Historical, Science Fiction, Vampires, Fast Reads, Black and White, Rawr

About the Book: Readers will be spellbound by this graphic novel version of Bram Stoker's "Dracula."""The granddaddy of all the modern vampire stories, the immortal tale unfolds in a gripping journey into the past that recounts a Victorian-era struggle against ancient evil. Original illustrations add an extra allure to this easy-to-read edition.
This Dover Graphic Novel Classic offers readers ages 8 and up an exciting introduction to a time-honored tale. Expertly abridged and packed with dramatic illustrations, this version offers a streamlined narrative that retains all of the storytelling essentials.

My Review: This graphic novel started off well. I curled up in a dimly lit room on a dark and stormy night, huddled under a massive pile of blankets to keep out the October chill... and then I was left feeling very "meh" after reading a Vampire classic! Like the previously reviewed "Sherlock Holmes: Hound of the Baskervilles" graphic novel, "Dracula" is short, around 50 pages. I figured it would be a quick, fun read - but this left me feeling more agitated than anything. 

The graphic novel has very clunky and confusing scene changes. The rush from Dracula's castle to England is a blur, and often locations would change while on the same page. My biggest suggestion is that this graphic novel could really benefit from 1. being longer, and 2. some scene change or even "intermission" style artwork. 

I would gladly read a longer version of a "Dracula" graphic novel if it was more true to the original. The story here was not changed at all, but it was hard to care about the characters or the situation when so much is cut out or rushed along.

Hoping for better in the next Dover Graphic Novel Classics release!

Cover Lovin': Good cover! Dracula looks appropriately horrifying, and this is definitely something that would catch someone's eye. 

Recommendation: This graphic novel adaptation is definitely for serious fans of the book, or for someone that just wants a good brush up. Not suggested for people who are looking for their first taste of the classic. 

Final Rating: TWO POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (2.5/5). This was a very disappointing adaptation of the amazing original. It was clunky and the scene changes were rough. Only recommended if you're desperate for a Dracula refresher or board during your flight to Transylvania. 

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Dover Graphic Novel Classics)

Disclaimer: I received a free, advance e-galley from Netgalley.com  in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: November 19, 2014

Type: Dover Graphic Novel Classics, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Classics, Fast Reads, Black and White, Mystery, Adventure

About the Book: The intrepid detective and his faithful assistant take on a supernatural challenge in one of Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular mysteries. This graphic novel's original illustrations accompany an easy-to-read account of Holmes and Watson's investigation of a family curse. Readers will be irresistibly drawn into the search for a giant spectral hound that haunts the fog-shrouded moors.
This Dover Graphic Novel Classic offers readers ages 8 and up an exciting introduction to a time-honored tale. Expertly abridged and packed with dramatic illustrations, this version offers a streamlined narrative that retains all of the storytelling essentials.
My Review: As this was a quick book to read (50 pages, if you include the cover), this will be a quick review.

The art was well done. The clothing was authentic, and facial features were done well enough to tell the difference between the several characters in the story. What pleased me the most about this graphic novel interpretation was how true it stayed to the classic story. Short and sweet, this is a great graphic novel to give to a reluctant reader that might enjoy mysteries or adventure. While some may disagree, I think these graphic novel versions of classics are a great way to introduce new or struggling readers to some of the best books in reading history.

Cover Lovin': This cover is short and sweet. I do like the splash of red near the bottom, really makes the title and publisher information pop out.

Recommendation: For fans of Sherlock Holmes. I also love this trend of releasing classics as graphic novels - bringing the greats to a whole new group of readers.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Great representation of a classic. Fast paced, with simple but elegant art.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Manda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice" by Stacy King

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Release Date: August 12, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Classic, Romance, Historical, Adaptations, Pride, Prejudice, Not as cute as Colin Firth or Matthew MacFayden...

About the book: Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

My Review: I am a huge fan of Pride & Prejudice, so I jumped at the chance to review this manga adaptation. Like the original novel, I eagerly gobbled up this manga version in one sitting. The art was very well done, with each character being appropriately distinctive while still showing familial resemblance, when necessary.

The manga version is very faithful to the original novel, which will please both purists and those looking for an alternative to the classic. Reading this graphic novel was like visiting the original story and characters all over again, just in miniature. Author Stacy King and illustrator  Po Tse do honor to the classic story and really make the characters come alive in this different style.

My only complaint is that the story and Elizabeth's character didn't quite pop as much as I would have preferred. If I were to give this version to a struggling or reluctant reader, I'm not sure this version would inspire as much love as the original novel.

Based on this reading, I would gladly pick up other Manga Classics volumes in the future.

Cover Lovin': The cover is elegant, and yet still eye catching. Overall, a very well done cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Pride and Prejudice. As a librarian, I can see giving this adaptation to a struggling or reluctant reader that thinks classics are stupid.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5). This is a very good interpretation, and it moves very quickly. As an adaptation, it's hard to not compare it to the original - in which case this falls flat, but anything will. The story was faithful to the original, and it was a fun read, but it lacked the punch of the original novel.