This was SUCH a page turner! Truly, clear your schedule before you pick this one up - you will be hard pressed to put it down. I found myself highlighThis was SUCH a page turner! Truly, clear your schedule before you pick this one up - you will be hard pressed to put it down. I found myself highlighting bits throughout - beautiful and tragic turns of phrase. I loved how Chelsey was driven to care for these discarded women and girls - and how that drive had consequences in her personal life. I loved the WA setting and kept trying to guess where Coldwell was (I have a pretty good idea). The characters are real and flawed - people keep secrets, they want to believe the best in people, even when they probably shouldn’t. I really related to Ellie’s parents - the struggle to trust and allow our children to flourish while staring down some dark stuff that surrounds them is so real. There were twists on twists here, and I was truly surprised. I feel like I have some niggling questions about some, but I can let them go. I can’t wait to read more from Emiko Jean....more
I love me some science fiction horror, and this novella delivers! There is a new planet with lots of life forms, including the mysterious and intimidaI love me some science fiction horror, and this novella delivers! There is a new planet with lots of life forms, including the mysterious and intimidating The Grey - sort of the planet’s self-cleansing/resource balancing system? There is a lot going on here - fraught (toxic?) relationships, terrible decisions by the council that remake families, feuding settlements. This is a creeping, tense family drama at the heart of it all, but the horror and sci-fi elements shine bright, too. Who are the real monsters?
Really enjoyed this, and I hope the author gives us more great sci-fi horror mashups in the future!...more
This dark fantasy comic is unpredictable and original, both in its story and the artwork. I enjoyed the feeling of being off-kilter throughout - I nevThis dark fantasy comic is unpredictable and original, both in its story and the artwork. I enjoyed the feeling of being off-kilter throughout - I never could quite find my footing here, but I really want to keep reading and trying to! It was a much darker read than my normal fare, but I did enjoy the gorgeous artwork and the fierceness and danger of the main character, Maika Halfwolf. LOVED the talking, multi-tailed cats, and the excerpts of lectures about the history of their world from learned cats between issues.
My only quibble is that I found some of the artwork hard to "read"; action was clearly happening and I just couldn't quite tell what I was supposed to be seeing; I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something. Maybe that was deliberate, but it was also frustrating to me.
I would recommend this to fans of horror, dark fantasy, alternate histories and strong (and scary!) female protagonists.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Image for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
This dark fantasy comic is unpredictable and original, both in its story and the artwork. I enjoyed the feeling of being off-kilter throughout - I never could quite find my footing here, but I really want to keep reading and trying to! It was a much darker read than my normal fare, but I did enjoy the gorgeous artwork and the fierceness and danger of the main character, Maika Halfwolf. LOVED the talking, multi-tailed cats, and the excerpts of lectures about the history of their world from learned cats between issues.
My only quibble is that I found some of the artwork hard to "read"; action was clearly happening and I just couldn't quite tell what I was supposed to be seeing; I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something. Maybe that was deliberate, but it was also frustrating to me.
I would recommend this to fans of horror, dark fantasy, alternate histories and strong (and scary!) female protagonists.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Image for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review....more
This was such a mixed bag for me! First, it made me realize how much I really don’t enjoy deception between the love interests in a romance. Shared deThis was such a mixed bag for me! First, it made me realize how much I really don’t enjoy deception between the love interests in a romance. Shared deception, I’m good with (fake dating, etc - I like that they’re in cahoots together). But particularly with Liv doing so much recon and subterfuge in the beginning, eeesh. It just really made me edgy and uncomfortable and took me out of the story.
I really enjoyed learning about the Chinese zodiac, reading about all the food, and learning about various celebrations and customs.
I just kinda wish this had been a novella. Or moved a little faster. Toward the end, there were some generally emotional moments that had me teary. But on balance, I am coming away more frustrated than swoony.
Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review....more
This was so cute and full of feels! The art style is lovely and the colors are gorgeous. A great story of fighting to feel like yourself, even when thThis was so cute and full of feels! The art style is lovely and the colors are gorgeous. A great story of fighting to feel like yourself, even when those closest to you don’t always understand. A great middle grade graphic novel that should have a place on the shelves of any library.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review....more
**spoiler alert** Blargh, I am still sweating from tearing through this page-turner!!! This is a super smart mystery that’s going to make you want to **spoiler alert** Blargh, I am still sweating from tearing through this page-turner!!! This is a super smart mystery that’s going to make you want to kill lots of bad men (trigger warnings for….a lot of things, but child rape, child abuse, racism, sexism, and murder among them).
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author’s next book!...more