blairconrad's Reviews (1.12k)

Clean illustrations, and I thought some potential for an interesting story. Ultimately, the ambiguity did me in - I can think of two possible realities that match the story, and neither one particularly satisfies me.

A cool concept, copied and sweetened a little in the current Once Upon a Time television show. I liked the way same-name characters (Jack, Prince Charming) were dealt with. My only complaint about the story is that I didn't care about what happened to Rose Red.
I was pleased to see that the different characters had their own personalities, and unlike [b:The Unknown|6742166|The Unknown|Mark Waid|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51APPUNRAcL._SL75_.jpg|6938495], I see the potential for them to grow on me.

Goings-on a-plenty in [b:Monster 11|1284030|Naoki Urasawa's Monster, Vol. 11|Naoki Urasawa|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182490993s/1284030.jpg|520559] and 12. New interesting characters and settings, the mystery of the twins is explored (and deepens), a bit of nostalgic murder, and we learn both what Johan's afraid of, and what Inspector Lunge likes to drink while on vacation.

I seem to remember that the first time I read the series, it dragged a little during this section, but I'm not finding it so now. I'm really having a great time with the re-read leading up to reading 17 and 18.

I didn't find I enjoyed Vanderhaeghe's language as much as I usually did - certainly a much less challenging read than I'm used to from him. Still, his style's pretty good, and he keeps things moving along. Unfortunately, I'm again in a situation where I just don't care about any of the characters, including the protagonist - they all seemed annoying, selfish, and largely juvenile, and this really made it hard to become invested.

Probably half of these impressions apply to books 2–3 as well as this one, but I'm really enjoying the series. I'm getting to know a few of the characters a little more (okay, it helps that they are Famous Storybook People, but there's all the extra stuff too). The stories move, and have decent pull on my emotions. I'm really enjoying the Snow/Bigby dynamic. Can't wait to read more.

I wonder if I'm reading a different book than most people. I'm current with the TV show (even though I keep thinking that I should stop watching it, as nothing happens), and decided to pick up the graphic novels on the strength of their reviews. Well, they're faster-paced than the TV show.
But that's the only "advantage", and I'm not sure it's that. It's too fast. We skip over all of the moments that would cause us to identify with the characters, whom I find to be universally flat. I was sorely disappointed to learn that one of the best scenes from the TV show - Rick hanging out with the man and boy that moved in next door to him - was only a few pages in the book, and elicited no emotional response whatsoever.
The art is kind of interesting, as long as one doesn't look at the characters too closely. (Although Glenn looks like Glenn, which I enjoy.)

I think the book was doubly disappointing after reading Kirkman's introduction - he goes on about how the book is supposed to be a social commentary and about more than just zombies popping out from behind things. Then what do we find? Neither.

I had [b:volume 2|138396|The Walking Dead, Vol. 2 Miles Behind Us|Robert Kirkman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298563748s/138396.jpg|133406] out from the library and got about 10 pages in before I realized that I just didn't care.

Initially off-putting - I didn't enjoy Eli's voice, and neither brother appeared to be particularly likable. As the story progressed, though, I found that the narration grew on me, and the humorous aspects of the book shone through. Eventually I began enjoying myself and ultimately developed a degree of empathy for Eli (and to a lesser extent) Charlie. The actual story is pretty entertaining too, and managed to pull me along.