Please note: I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
When a tragic accident
takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom—and Raven's
memory—she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of
high school.
Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday
stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't
remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when
impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even
be better not to know who she was before.
But as she grows closer
to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who
accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to
face what's buried in the past... and the darkness building inside her.
From #1 New York Times
bestselling author Kami Garcia and first-time graphic novel artist
Gabriel Picolo comes this riveting tale of finding the strength to face
who you are and learning to trust others—and yourself.
Review:
I have long enjoyed Kami Garcia's Beautiful Creatures books. She created such a moody atmosphere in that Southern Gothic genre. Now, along with illustrator Gabriel Picolo, she has taken a stab at graphic novels. What a wonderful start to what I hope will be a series (please, please, please).
via GIPHY
What I Liked:
Illustrations:
Sticking to a color palette of blacks and purples, illustrator Gabriel Picolo creates an angsty atmosphere. His use of giant raven shadows was eerie and created a sense of foreboding. He was also able to play with ways to show thoughts and inner dialogue that was fresh and original.
Setting:
The story is set in New Orleans. Even though some of the scenes take place at a voodoo shop and a cemetery, it doesn't feel clichéd. Much of the action happens either at Raven's high school. Given how diverse New Orleans is, I like how lots of different kinds of teens are shown, including students with disabilities.
Story:
Raven is a person going through a terrible trauma. Her foster mother was killed in a car accident right in front of her, leaving her with amnesia. Even though she can't really feel sad for a person she can't remember, she does harbor feelings of intense guilt for surviving the crash. Is the evil voice she hears in her head hinting that she was a terrible person before the accident? Or is something trying to lead her astray? People can have a variety of thoughts, both good and bad. This is what make people complicated. Realizing this is a step towards adulthood. What a subtle, sophisticated subtext!
I also liked the use of headphones to help Raven deal with noise. Lots of people are really sensitive about noise in public spaces. Aside from having better sound quality for music, perhaps people are using them more for shutting out all the noise around them.
Overall:
This was a great start to a graphic novel series. The mood, setting, and story set the stage for us to get to know Raven, her aunt, and her cousin. I really hope this book does well, so we will get more of this series in the future.
Rating:
Release Date: July 2nd, 2019
Author: Kami Garcia
Illustrator: Gabriel. Picolo
Publisher: DC Ink
Genre: YA Fantasy Graphic Novel
Page Length: 192 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book (PDF)
Recommendation: Read it! A great introduction to a complicated character.
SHARE ON:
Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
Mera is teenage
royalty, heir to the throne of Xebel, the other not-so-lost colony under
the sea. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown, that of
Atlantis. When the inhabitants of Xebel plot to overthrow their homeland
of Atlantis, Mera is sent to kill the heir to the throne, Arthur Curry.
As the unrest between their colonies grows, Mera and Arthur
unexpectedly fall in love...will Arthur Curry be the king at Mera's side
in Atlantis, or will he die under her blade?
Mera by
Danielle Paige is an astonishing story that explores themes of duty,
love, heroism and freedom, all through the eyes of readers' favorite
undersea royalty.
Review:
I am not normally a fan of graphic novels. But with a daughter as an artist, I am gaining an appreciation of this genre. Mera: Tidebreaker, is very well done. Beautiful art work by Stephen Bryne and solid writing from Danielle Paige come together to create an enjoyable book. It was the perfect way to dip my toes into graphic novels.
What I Liked:
Illustrations:
The star of this book really is the beautiful artwork. The Illustrator use of a muted palette, punctuated by Mera's fiery red hair, creates a dreamy quality. The undersea scenes are haunting with the many details of sea creatures in every panel.
Characters:
I did not see the Aquaman movie, so my only knowledge of Mera is through this graphic novel. That being said, I could easily understand her character. She wants to be a warrior like her mother. She bristles when her suitor, Larken, shows marrying her is a means to his becoming the king. Everyone is making decisions for her. All she wants is a choice.
Larken is Mera's childhood friend and suitor. He is not a two-dimensional character. Although he can't see why Mera won't marry him, he does actually care about her. He really doesn't understand that Mera doesn't want to be taken care of. Also, he has no moral issue with killing Arthur if it will help him become king. While I didn't admire this about him, I also felt he was willing to be a killer so Mera wouldn't have to.
Moral Dilemma:
Choices, though, are not so easy. At first, she sees killing the heir to Atlantis as a simple matter. After all, it's easy to hate your oppressors from afar. But when she goes on land and finally meets Arthur, she realizes he doesn't even know who he really is. Can she kill an innocent person, just to become a ruler? It's the classic choice characters must make: are they villains or heroes?
What I Didn't Like:
I know this is a graphic novel so everything has to be packed in a short story. But I am just not a fan of insta-love. I thought throwing around the L word so quickly between Mera and Arthur was unnecessary. She didn't need the stakes to be so high in order for her to do the right thing.
Rating:
Release Date: April 2nd, 2019
Author: Danielle Paige
Illustrator: Stephen Bryne
Publisher: DC Ink
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 192 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: PDF
Recommendation: A beautifully illustrated graphic novel with a strong female character. Very entertaining.
SHARE ON:
Posts
