Review: LIMBO by Dan Watters, Caspar Wijngaard

Release Date: June 7th, 2016

Type: Image Comics, Graphic Novel, Stand Alone, Single Volume, Science Fiction, Mythology, Technovoodoo

About the Book: A detective with no memory, no identity, and no manners. A femme fatale seeking escape from a powerful crime lord. A voodoo queen with a penchant for mixtapes and hi-tops. A goat-eating TV... A surreal neon-noir fusing hardboiled pulp with an 80s VHS visual aesthetic, dripping with neon and static. Collecting issues 1 through 6. Writer Dan Watters and artist Caspar Wijngaard are an up-and-coming creative team living and working in the UK. They are currently making their Image Comics debut with the surreal Neon Noir Limbo. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I'm so glad I took the time between finishing this and trying to review it. I think I needed to let it settle in my brain, to truly wrap my head around everything that happened. But one thought that for sure stuck with me - I still want more. I know this is it, or at least there doesn't seem to be any future issues in the works, but.. I'm not ready for it to end.

Limbo isn't really like anything else I've read. It's very much in the style of my favorite off-the-wall, quirky, beyond belief Image Comics titles. Honestly, if Image Comics publishes it, I will most likely love it. I haven't been let down yet. The techno weirdness reminds me of Saga, if it were set in the not-so-distant past. And the colors have moments that remind me of Five Ghosts. But despite the occasional similarities, Limbo feels wholly original and different.

I liked Clay. I really liked how magic was weaved into technology. A technoshaman? Awesome. A strange tentacled creature with a VHS port? Yes, please. A girl who practices voodoo by playing and dancing to mix tapes? Sign me up. Really, the only thing that kept me from falling 100% in love with this was that the wrap up felt too rushed. This could have benefited from adding one or two more issues, to really make it a cohesive whole. But with the time and space they had, I think the creators did a fantastic job creating a truly unique story.

Cover Lovin': It was enough to make me pick it up out of a line up of comics!

Recommendation: You need to like the odd, unlike-anything type of graphic novels.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5) stars! Unique, original, and just plain strange. Loved it!

Make sure to get your copy of Limbo my Dan Watters and Caspar Wijngaard today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: The Wicked + The Divine volume 3: Commercial Suicide by Kieron Gillen

Release Date: February 9th, 2016

Type: Graphic novel, Comic books, Image comics, Series, Mythology, Gods and Goddesses everywhere

About the Book: After the detonation of FANDEMONIUM the gods-as-pop-stars of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE try living in the long dark shadow. Team WicDiv are joined by a stellar cast of guest artists to put the spotlight of each of the gods. The multiple Eisner-award nominated series continues in the only way it knows how: darker, weirder, faster. Don't worry. It's going to be okay. [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: This series is so addicting, and there's just so many layers to it. I just wish I was able to re-read the previous two volumes before reading this one, so that I can be on top of all the subtleties. I guess I will have to buy them all to refresh myself each time the new one releases.

The plot thickens in this volume, and the gods and goddesses are turning on each other. You can definitely see this volume pushing that story forward, and just who is on the right and wrong side. Or, what we think is the right and wrong side. What I love about this series is that it's so hard to trust anyone because most of them have their own endgame.

It's hard to mention specifics in my review because anything could give away the plots of previous volumes, as well as this one. But trust me, if you like your graphic novels weird and deep, you'll love this series!

Cover Lovin': Fits the rest of the series, so thumbs up there.

Recommendation: You most definitely need to start at the beginning. And it helps to read up the previous volumes to refresh your memory before tackling the new one.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Great, deep, magic, weird.. and definitely confusing.

Be sure to get your copy of The Wicked + The Divine today! You won't want to miss this, for sure.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

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

Review: APOLLO: THE BRILLIANT ONE by George O'Connor

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

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Type: Graphic Novel, Comic Books, First Second Books, Mythology, Series, Book 8, Teen/Young Adult, Just Call Me The Brillaint One

About the Book: George O'Connor's popular Olympians graphic novel series continues with Apollo. Told by the Muses, readers will encounter some of the most famous Greek myths featuring the god of music and prophecy.

My Review: Another good Olympians book! I originally picked this series up a few years ago when I needed a nonfiction graphic novel book for my Library Services to Young Adults class - and I have not been disappointed since. George O'Connor clearly knows his mythology, and does an excellent job bringing it to life in this full color book.

Apollo is often linked to the Muses, and O'Connor uses that in this book. Each of Apollo's stories is told by one (or more) of the Muses, further linking them together in the reader's mind. What I like best about these graphic novels is that they are great for visual learners. Mythology is a fun topic for a lot of middle schoolers, and can even be a great gateway into reading. But for those that might struggle with the stories, the Olympians series is a great go-to. I've pimped these books out plenty at my own library to middle grade and young adult readers.

Cover Lovin': Nice one. The image of Apollo fighting the serpent is one of the stories in the book - and definitely makes for a rockin' cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Greek Mythology, this series is a definite go to. I also think this series would be great for a reluctant reader struggling with Greek Mythology.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). A great read! The illustrations are great, and the story structure presents the myths in a fun way.


                                       Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction~!~

Review: "Ares: Bringer of War" by George O'Connor

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

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, History, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Ares, The Iliad, War of the Gods, Book 7, Series, So Much Death and Destruction

About the Book: The myth continues in the tenth year of the fabled Trojan War where two infamous gods of war go to battle. The spotlight is thrown on Ares, god of war, and primarily focuses on his battle with the clever and powerful Athena. As the battle culminates and the gods try to one-up each other to win, the human death toll mounts. Who will win this epic clash of power? And how many will have to die first?

My Review: This volume felt like a let down when compared to the previous ones - especially the Poseidon and Aphrodite volumes, since those were particularly awesome. The art is still on par with the rest of the series, but it was the story itself that didn't work for me.

I didn't like this volume as much as the previous ones. The author decided to take on The Iliad for Ares' story and it became a confusion of names more than once. Unless the reader is already familiar with the story, this would have been a bumbling mess. But the quality of the previous volumes is still there. 

That said, I think this would be a great companion story to anyone working their way through the Iliad. The rest of the series I recommend giving to anyone struggling in a mythology class, or maybe just someone who can't stop devouring mythology books - but this volume isn't something I would just hand to someone. It almost feels like it comes with some extra homework.

I am hopeful there will be more books in this series. George O'Connor does a fantastic job capturing the Greek myths in graphic novel form. And hey - he hasn't even finished the 12 Olympians, so he better keep going!

Cover Lovin': Well done on the cover. It matches the rest of the series, and I'd say this battle cry stance fits the god of war perfectly.

Recommendations: For fans of Greek Mythology, and Graphic Novels. This would be a good companion for a high school or college student reading the Iliad, as well.

Final Rating: TWO POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (2.5/5). As stated above, this seems like a step down in quality compared to the previous books in the series. Unless the reader has a good grasp of Greek history and/or the happenings of the Iliad, this book will seem like an info dump.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Hades Speaks!" by Vicky Alvear Shecter

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

Release Date: September 1, 2014

Type: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Teen, Mythology, Greek, Humor, Illustrated, Fun, Highway to Hades

About the Book: Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

My Review: This was a great nonfiction title that I would gladly give to both a juvenile and young adult audience. Written from Hades' perspective, the reader gets a tour through the Underworld, with tales of Greek myths and History thrown in. One of my favorite parts of the book was the punctuation guides, located throughout the text whenever an unfamiliar word was introduced, as well as in the glossary in the back.

The whole book contains a wonderful sense of humor, enough to keep anyone entertained while reading. There are mentions of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and I can see this as being a great gift for any Percy Jackson fan. The few illustrations in hand book were well done, and very artistic. There are a few I would gladly frame and add to my Halloween decor. 

Giving this book a four out of five stars for its originality, clarity, and amusing style.

Cover Lovin': This cover is pretty perfect for this book. The illustrations are appropriately haunting, considering the subject matter, but there is a hint at the humor you will find inside, in the smile that Hades is trying to hide.

Recommendation: For young fans of Greek mythology that want to read the stories from a different angle. Adults can enjoy this book as well, but this is definitely kid-centered.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Good book, fun to read, and I know it would be popular with both juveniles and teens at my library.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Inhuman Heritage" by Sonnet O'Dell

Why this book?: I've reviewed for Sonnet O'Dell before, and when she asked if I would want to review the newest Cassandra Farbanks novel, I jumped at the chance!

Disclaimer: I received this book in an exchange for a review.

Type: Series, Shifters, Vampires, Parallel Worlds, Mythological Beings, Law of Succession

About the book: Two Worlds. One Mystery. "Nothing is stranger than the truth. 

Cassandra has had a lot of questions, but when it comes to the answers, the truth it seems might be too much for her to handle. On top of that, what should have been perfect relationship with the vampire Aram, is falling apart before its really begun. 

To distract herself she takes a job from the werewolves. It's time to pick a new king and a emissary must be safely escorted. Someone is out to kidnap the emissary and steal the crown. Who's behind it is just another question Cassandra must answer before time runs out."

My Review: This will be the third book I have reviewed in this series, and I always thought it had such an interesting premise. I mean, who doesn't want to travel to a different version of reality each evening? Sure, Cassandra's night life can be more than a little scary, but think of all the adventures she has! And the plot of "Inhuman Heritage" is another such adventure. Unlike some of the previous novels, the first 1/3 of this book seems very much character driven. We learn more about Cassandra's relationships.. and especially who, or what, she is - which leads to her having an understandable pity party. But Cassandra doesn't get to wallow in her feelings for too long, she has a job to do, and it's not going to be easy.

Cassandra's sense of humor never fails to tickle me. She's quick witted, and her quips come from all genres of pop culture - it's quite fun trying to figure out where everything is from. In this regard, I can definitely find some parallels between Harry Dresden of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Cassandra. They both have that sense of humor that makes you laugh and groan at the same time. And along these lines, I can definitely see some similarities between this series and the Anita Blake series by Laurel K. Hamilton. Cassandra is, essentially, a younger and less $lutty Anita Blake - which I'm, for one, thankful for.

In closing, I'd definitely say "Inhuman Heritage" by Sonnet O'Dell is great reading choice for fans of Urban Fantasy, especially readers that enjoy a host of fascinating and delicious characters. I'd say this isn't my favorite in the series, but it was still an excellent and entertaining read.

Cover Lovin': Considering how were-wolf centered this novel is, the cover is very fitting. And now that I've read the book and take another look at the cover, it just seems perfect. Loving the image in the eyes!

Recommendation: Fans of both the Anita Blake; Vampire Hunter series by Laurel K. Hamilton and The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher will enjoy the Cassandra Farbanks series. These are definitely good reads, and they keep my eyes glued to my eReader until the very end.
A Note: While author Sonnet O'Dell does very good at getting any new readers up to date, and reminding long-time fans of past events, this is one of those series you really want to follow from the beginning for the full effect.

Final Rating: While reading through the first half of the book, it was definitely feeling like a three.. But by the end, I was full convinced that this book is worth FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). The beginning was a little rocky for me, but once again, this author surprised me with how good the last half of the book was.

The Series in Order:
1. Soul Market
2. Lost Innocents
3. Skin Thief
4. Inhuman Heritage

Have you read "Inhuman Heritage" or any other novel by Sonnet O'Dell? Share your thoughts in the comments! Want to try the series out? Click on the title links above to purchase these items from Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~