Waffling between a 4 and a 5, so for now, 4.5 Weird and dark and gruesome and twisty, with some of the most beautiful, intricate art I've seen in a graWaffling between a 4 and a 5, so for now, 4.5 Weird and dark and gruesome and twisty, with some of the most beautiful, intricate art I've seen in a graphic novel. Looking forward to volume 2.
Full review to come (probably).
Merged review:
Waffling between a 4 and a 5, so for now, 4.5 Weird and dark and gruesome and twisty, with some of the most beautiful, intricate art I've seen in a graphic novel. Looking forward to volume 2.
I had to push myself through this, to be honest. I want to continue with the story/world, but I could have done without this volume, I think. I said iI had to push myself through this, to be honest. I want to continue with the story/world, but I could have done without this volume, I think. I said in the last one that my tolerance for unlikable, horrible characters is at an all-time low, and that's basically all this volume was. I get the allusions to Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies, and all that, and I even get why this was an aspect of the Fables that needed to be explored, but I just felt very anxious reading it, and wanted to be done.
Also, I hate Rose Red. I don't care how it turns out in the end, she's the worst. (Aside from maybe Goldilocks.)...more
This was sweet and beautifully drawn, and it may hit the sweet spot for a lot of young readers, but it left something to be desired. Everything felt aThis was sweet and beautifully drawn, and it may hit the sweet spot for a lot of young readers, but it left something to be desired. Everything felt a little shallow and not fully fleshed out, and there's no real "twist" -- even though I think one was slightly intended -- as it couldn't be more obvious what's going on. And it has a nice message, which it presents without the least bit of subtlety. I think its strengths are in the relationships, which I wish had been explored even more. As a longer book or part of an ongoing series, slowed down to really build those relationships and interactions, this could have been really lovely. As it was, it was sweet and quick, and not something I regret giving the time to -- but underwhelming, all the same....more
This is very different from the movie, so I can see why fans of the movie wouldn't be fans. I also am unsure how much I would have liked it if I'd reaThis is very different from the movie, so I can see why fans of the movie wouldn't be fans. I also am unsure how much I would have liked it if I'd read rather than listened to it, but I have a feeling I'd probably have wanted it to be condensed a little. But that said, I really enjoyed it. ...more
[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if deri[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if derivative -- characters. The first volume struggled a bit to find its footing, and then end struggled to stay there, but there are some interesting moments in the art and a solid backstory to explain the WHY of everything, which you don't always get in supernatural stories. There's a convenience to some things that didn't sit well with me, and I wish they'd dug a bit more into the conflicts and made it all a bit meatier*, the series was a pleasant bit of mindless* fun, and it's neat to see where the story for the show came from, and where it has gone.
Oh, and sidenote: what is with the boobs?! Everybody has braless torpedo boobs in this, I just. . . why?
*there's a zombie joke in there, somewhere....more
[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if deri[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if derivative -- characters. The first volume struggled a bit to find its footing, and then end struggled to stay there, but there are some interesting moments in the art and a solid backstory to explain the WHY of everything, which you don't always get in supernatural stories. There's a convenience to some things that didn't sit well with me, and I wish they'd dug a bit more into the conflicts and made it all a bit meatier*, the series was a pleasant bit of mindless* fun, and it's neat to see where the story for the show came from, and where it has gone.
Oh, and sidenote: what is with the boobs?! Everybody has braless torpedo boobs in this, I just. . . why?
*there's a zombie joke in there, somewhere....more
[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if deri[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if derivative -- characters. The first volume struggled a bit to find its footing, and then end struggled to stay there, but there are some interesting moments in the art and a solid backstory to explain the WHY of everything, which you don't always get in supernatural stories. There's a convenience to some things that didn't sit well with me, and I wish they'd dug a bit more into the conflicts and made it all a bit meatier*, the series was a pleasant bit of mindless* fun, and it's neat to see where the story for the show came from, and where it has gone.
Oh, and sidenote: what is with the boobs?! Everybody has braless torpedo boobs in this, I just. . . why?
*there's a zombie joke in there, somewhere....more
[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if deri[Review for the entire series] Though nothing like the show (which is better, let's be real), this is a fun world with (mostly) interesting -- if derivative -- characters. The first volume struggled a bit to find its footing, and then end struggled to stay there, but there are some interesting moments in the art and a solid backstory to explain the WHY of everything, which you don't always get in supernatural stories. There's a convenience to some things that didn't sit well with me, and I wish they'd dug a bit more into the conflicts and made it all a bit meatier*, the series was a pleasant bit of mindless* fun, and it's neat to see where the story for the show came from, and where it has gone.
Oh, and sidenote: what is with the boobs?! Everybody has braless torpedo boobs in this, I just. . . why?
*there's a zombie joke in there, somewhere....more
There are still some flaws and bad habits that need to be overcome in the writing, but for the most part, as this went along, it started to feel like There are still some flaws and bad habits that need to be overcome in the writing, but for the most part, as this went along, it started to feel like the story was getting back on track. I'm not going to get my hopes too high, because lord knows, they could build it up just to dash it all again, but so far, I'm glad to see the Queens back at it....more
I'm really on the fence about this one, but I'm going to keep with it and see if it wins me over.I'm really on the fence about this one, but I'm going to keep with it and see if it wins me over....more
Book 2 of the Jane Austen's Dragons series was a little less successful than the first book for me, for a couple of reasons. It felt more chaotic, likBook 2 of the Jane Austen's Dragons series was a little less successful than the first book for me, for a couple of reasons. It felt more chaotic, like all of the various threads are getting a little unwieldy; some of the original Austen elements of plot and character are starting to feel a little bit strained by the changes that dragons necessitate; and some of the things that bothered me a bit in the first book, like the removal of a good bit of choice and free-will for the characters, are even more prominent in book 2. But that said, there is just something about this series that I just find really fun and intriguing. It's a very different concept for a piece of JAFF, and one that really doesn't seem like it would work all that well on the surface, but that actually works REALLY well, in really clever ways. I talked more about that in the review for book one, and I'm sure I'll end up talking about it again when the series comes to a close, but until then, I await book 3, and more dragon shenanigans!
I'll be discussing this book (rather than reviewing it; it merits discussion) soon, but I need to compose my thoughts first. Until then, this is not aI'll be discussing this book (rather than reviewing it; it merits discussion) soon, but I need to compose my thoughts first. Until then, this is not an unreserved 5 stars, as there were certainly some mechanical things that I had issues with, but it's very powerful and raw and unrelenting, and it deserves 5 stars purely for how much it made me feel....more
I feel like this series could have been stretched out over another volume or two and it would have benefited from it, and I can certainly see why thisI feel like this series could have been stretched out over another volume or two and it would have benefited from it, and I can certainly see why this dark, gross, gory story would not be to everyone's tastes. There are questions left unanswered and threads I'd like to see tied up, and I hate when a series with a distinctive style that I love has an artist change (dammit), but all of that said: I just really like this. I like the dark gross gory messy violent weird unsettling horrific story that is Clean Room....more
So, apparently I'm on a kick of reading really, really weird comics. I blame Hoopla, they keep recommending me weird shit. (Which I then read, feedingSo, apparently I'm on a kick of reading really, really weird comics. I blame Hoopla, they keep recommending me weird shit. (Which I then read, feeding into their algorithms, sooo... I also blame myself.) Sometimes weird works, and sometimes, it doesn't. This one (despite having a lot of not-so-great ratings on Goodreads) worked for me. It's gross and creepy and over the top, and I kinda loved that? I mean, I liked it enough to immediately load vol. 2 on my Hoopla account. I'll (probably, maybe) get more into detail later, after I've read more and know more of the story), but for now, it's a fucked up little story that's scratching an itch I didn't know I had. It's been a long, long time since I've really enjoyed most horror or horror-like things, but lately, in comics at least, I'm digging it....more
I'm no stranger to the more...interesting side of Austen retellings. Zombies, vampires, sea monsters, genetic engineering, football — if it's been masI'm no stranger to the more...interesting side of Austen retellings. Zombies, vampires, sea monsters, genetic engineering, football — if it's been mashed with Austen, I probably either have read it or own it (or both). Dragons is a new one, even for me. And it is one that I am totally onboard for. Dragons are just very underutilized, this day & age, if you ask me. Though they're certainly making a comeback (thank you, Khalessi). But even though I was all for it, I have to say, I was still surprised by how well this concept worked. Maria Grace makes the introduction of dragons into Regency life seem seamless, and in a very clever turn, actually uses them to explain a lot of the formalities and customs of Regency life. It's by turns clandestine and tense, and playfully silly, and I found myself weirdly invested.
There are certainly pros and cons in attempting to pull off such a concept, though the biggest pro is the way Grace goes for it. It's fun and a bit campy, and she embraces that, but she doesn't let it trip over into parody territory (or even close). Though it would be easy to, she doesn't ever treat the storyline like a joke. Grace committed, and as a result, the story doesn't feel like a throwaway. The additions to the story are interesting, the reinterpretation of the characters as a result is interesting, and all of it taken together adds a fun twist to the typical Pride & Prejudice retelling.
Some of the potential drawbacks, which may bother some readers, are: 1) That it's not a self-contained story. We're used to getting the complete romance, start to finish, in JAFF retellings. If you want to see Darcy and Lizzie all the way through to the I Dos, you're going to be disappointed, and on the hook for more books. I understand why this is, because it's a big, very different world to build, and that takes time. (And personally—in this case, at least— I don't mind being on the hook for more books.) But not having the full arc of the story -- or at least this central romance -- wrapped up at the end may bother some readers. You don't get to have all of the fluttery, swoony bits you're used to having, at least not at this point in the series.
2) The reliance on dragons as the basis of social structure takes some a lot of the choice & will out of the characters' hands. On the one hand, this worked for me (I mean, I love the idea that all of the ridiculously minute bits of Regency etiquette have a basis in dragons' fastidious culture. I think that's genius, tbh.), but on the other, it robs the story a bit of the tension of the relationship. Darcy & Lizzie don't get to butt heads as freely, or misunderstand each other as much, if they're being told what to do by dragons, and have to listen. It's something you see a lot in romance novels — we didn't want to get married, we had to as a ruse! And then we just fell for each other, golly gee shucks! — so it's not unfamiliar territory to have the decisions effectually made for the characters. It's actually a pretty popular romance trope, and one I often like, precisely because it hits on some of the same elements that Pride & Prejudice does: resolutely not liking someone but being thrown together until suddenly you find you kinda like them and how did that even happen?! And I'm sure, when all is said and done, I'm going to like it here, too. It will be fun seeing Lizzie start to buck tradition and begin asserting herself, no doubt. But as it is now, having the dragons basically dictate Darcy & Lizzie's interactions and acceptance of each other slightly diminishes the relationship for me, because it's forced. I like 'love against their better judgement;' I don't like 'budding relationship that's maybe against their will?' Now, I'm sure the groundwork is going to be laid for them to really fall head over heels for each other, and it will be solid and lovely. But still.
That said, I'm probably analyzing that aspect waaaaaaay too hard, and I don't know that it's something that will even register with most readers. And even though it did register with me, I still thoroughly enjoyed this, and immediately launched into book 2 when I was done. I very much want to know how this story plays out, and what clever ways Grace will incorporate the dragons next. I very much want to know what boneheaded things Darcy's going to say or do, and how Lizzie's gonna put him in his place. And I very much want to see Lizzie come into her own.
I know there are those of you who are instantly turned off by more "out there" adaptations and Austen mashups, but honestly, if that's the case for you, give this one a try. It's not the cheesy joke you might think it's going to be— if there's one thing Maria Grace does well, it's to see both the straight-forward retelling aspects AND the wholly different adaptation aspects of her stories right through to all of their logical ends. And if you're not put off by the more out there retellings, then what are you waiting for? Definitely pick this one up!...more
I want to digest this one a little more before I review it, but briefly: I've never done acid, but I imagine this is what an acid trip would be like, I want to digest this one a little more before I review it, but briefly: I've never done acid, but I imagine this is what an acid trip would be like, maybe? Surreal doesn't quite cover this story or style, and sometimes the existentialness of it all felt really forced and not as clever as it was making itself out to be. That said, it was oddly fascinating, the art & coloring (though trippy) was gorgeous, and the characters were pretty engaging, and I find myself looking forward to more from the series....more
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