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leahrosereads's Reviews (1.04k)
Hello 1923 AD gods. How are you? Ah yes, that's how you are.
This comic starts with where the 1923 AD issue left off, and I appreciated seeing the ending for sure.
Then we see the 2014 gods and more of the story is unfolding and more answers are happening and I'm loving this more and more each day. I can't believe I only have what...10 issues left?!?!
I'm not ready.
(I'm so ready).
This comic starts with where the 1923 AD issue left off, and I appreciated seeing the ending for sure.
Then we see the 2014 gods and more of the story is unfolding and more answers are happening and I'm loving this more and more each day. I can't believe I only have what...10 issues left?!?!
I'm not ready.
(I'm so ready).
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Quickie Thoughts:
Writing: It took me a serious bit to get into this. It's my first Jeff VanderMeer, and I'm not sure if this is typical VanderMeer writing, but it was jarring for me to read. It was a slow go for the first 25 pages or so, but once I got used to it, I got very invested.
Story/Characters: The character Borne made this book! Borne was so child-like and naive and wonderful and strange and beautiful. He/she/they were just so fascinating. And even when the story itself slowed and dulled a bit, I knew I could count on Borne to bring it all around. And he/she/they always did.
The story's told in Rachel's POV - a scavenger in this post-apocalyptic weird, weird world. She's a survivor through and through, but because of that attitude, she can be kinda boring at times. Her relationship to Borne felt out of character until you think about what type of world this must be. And then it makes sense, and it really added dimension to her.
Her relationship with the other human we're introduced to Wick, is a lot rough around the edges. They're a necessity, and I didn't really care for it for most of the book.
And then there's poor Mord. I'm not sure I was supposed to have any sympathy towards him, but I had so much. I just feel that Mord is so misunderstood.
Overall: This was a 3 star for me, but because I loved Borne so much, I had to give it an extra star. I'd recommend it if you like new weird, or strange fantastical science fiction.
This book was definitely a first for me.
Writing: It took me a serious bit to get into this. It's my first Jeff VanderMeer, and I'm not sure if this is typical VanderMeer writing, but it was jarring for me to read. It was a slow go for the first 25 pages or so, but once I got used to it, I got very invested.
Story/Characters: The character Borne made this book! Borne was so child-like and naive and wonderful and strange and beautiful. He/she/they were just so fascinating. And even when the story itself slowed and dulled a bit, I knew I could count on Borne to bring it all around. And he/she/they always did.
The story's told in Rachel's POV - a scavenger in this post-apocalyptic weird, weird world. She's a survivor through and through, but because of that attitude, she can be kinda boring at times. Her relationship to Borne felt out of character until you think about what type of world this must be. And then it makes sense, and it really added dimension to her.
Her relationship with the other human we're introduced to Wick, is a lot rough around the edges. They're a necessity, and I didn't really care for it for most of the book.
And then there's poor Mord. I'm not sure I was supposed to have any sympathy towards him, but I had so much. I just feel that Mord is so misunderstood.
Overall: This was a 3 star for me, but because I loved Borne so much, I had to give it an extra star. I'd recommend it if you like new weird, or strange fantastical science fiction.
This book was definitely a first for me.
4/25/2018
Still all the fucking stars...
11/10 - 11/26/2014
5 Fucking Stars and Hugs For All
A little background, because I feel like I need to put this here: I love Amanda Palmer’s music. I received a burned copy of The Dresden Dolls my senior year in high school (late 2005/2006). I fell in love with her lyrics and their music back then, and I’ve continued to support both Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione whenever I can.
That has included supporting AFP’s Kickstarter. Honestly, I pretty much ignored any negative story on the subject, because I just didn’t care what the Negative Nancy's had to say. I wanted to support an artist that I loved and had a lot of respect for. It was as simple as that for me. Anything else was just noise.
When AFP first started blogging about THE ART OF ASKING, I was uber-excited for her to be writing about her life, her art, her thoughts, and anything else that came across her mind. To me, she has always seemed genuine and real, and I will admit to being extremely moved with her speaking engagement on TED Talks. Knowing that this book was going to be a more in-depth conversation of that, while adding in her experiences over the years, I knew that I would definitely be getting a copy of this book when it came out.
And I wasn’t disappointed with what I read at all.
The writing itself is fantastic. But then, knowing her lyrics, I knew that AFP could spin her words and make them feel real as hell, because well, that’s what they are. She’s this open artist that writes what’s on her mind, without needing or wanting to filter herself. And I love that.
AFP’s life has been so full and fascinating, and she is incredibly open about her experiences. From her art/music career, her life experiences in college and her marriage, AFP didn’t seem to hold anything back - she bared herself to the world, and has asked us to see her. I definitely do.
If you’re wanting to read this book as a “How to Guide” on Asking, then it falls extremely short, because that’s now what it’s for. This was yelling at me - that it’s OK to ask! To not be ashamed to ask, and that asking and giving can create these amazing human connections.
And To just fucking ask.
Finally, on a personal level, THE ART OF ASKING has inspired me to start creating again. To bare my soul and start writing, because this life is freaking short, and I need to remember that. I should be living my life for me, my goals and passions and loves, and hopefully by doing that, I re-open myself to everything that’s awe inspiring around me. I’ve been pretty closed off from human connections for too long, and in 2015, I’m planning on really changing that. I’ve missed the connection.
Still all the fucking stars...
11/10 - 11/26/2014
5 Fucking Stars and Hugs For All
A little background, because I feel like I need to put this here: I love Amanda Palmer’s music. I received a burned copy of The Dresden Dolls my senior year in high school (late 2005/2006). I fell in love with her lyrics and their music back then, and I’ve continued to support both Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione whenever I can.
That has included supporting AFP’s Kickstarter. Honestly, I pretty much ignored any negative story on the subject, because I just didn’t care what the Negative Nancy's had to say. I wanted to support an artist that I loved and had a lot of respect for. It was as simple as that for me. Anything else was just noise.
When AFP first started blogging about THE ART OF ASKING, I was uber-excited for her to be writing about her life, her art, her thoughts, and anything else that came across her mind. To me, she has always seemed genuine and real, and I will admit to being extremely moved with her speaking engagement on TED Talks. Knowing that this book was going to be a more in-depth conversation of that, while adding in her experiences over the years, I knew that I would definitely be getting a copy of this book when it came out.
And I wasn’t disappointed with what I read at all.
The writing itself is fantastic. But then, knowing her lyrics, I knew that AFP could spin her words and make them feel real as hell, because well, that’s what they are. She’s this open artist that writes what’s on her mind, without needing or wanting to filter herself. And I love that.
AFP’s life has been so full and fascinating, and she is incredibly open about her experiences. From her art/music career, her life experiences in college and her marriage, AFP didn’t seem to hold anything back - she bared herself to the world, and has asked us to see her. I definitely do.
If you’re wanting to read this book as a “How to Guide” on Asking, then it falls extremely short, because that’s now what it’s for. This was yelling at me - that it’s OK to ask! To not be ashamed to ask, and that asking and giving can create these amazing human connections.
And To just fucking ask.
Finally, on a personal level, THE ART OF ASKING has inspired me to start creating again. To bare my soul and start writing, because this life is freaking short, and I need to remember that. I should be living my life for me, my goals and passions and loves, and hopefully by doing that, I re-open myself to everything that’s awe inspiring around me. I’ve been pretty closed off from human connections for too long, and in 2015, I’m planning on really changing that. I’ve missed the connection.
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4/28/18
I stand by my below thoughts after re-reading this first issue. It was still an incredibly strong start to a series that I seriously fell behind on (am correcting today during Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon).
12/10/14
4 Stars + 1 Star for the Topic
So, I picked up my copy of BITCH PLANET yesterday, because of the hype, because of the subject, and because I wanted another single issue series to pick up.
This comic really started off strong for me. I loved the cover, it’s empowering and magnificent, and it really caught my eye. In the first couple of pages, I really felt that strength and power in both the words and the images on the pages.
The backgrounds in these couple of pages are very enlightening about what Earth is like in this futuristic setting. All the billboards are forcing images of unrealistic beauty women on the world, and telling women that this is what is expected of them. This is beauty, and everything else, is ugly and wrong.
And then, we see the world a little more closely, and we see how warped it really has gotten. Bitch Planet is a place where non-compliant women are imprisoned, and we see the strength of those women that are there. We also see weakness really early on, and it was my one issue with the comic. I feel like it’s a woman’s right to choose how she lives, but it almost seemed like, if you want to live your life as a housewife, you’re considered weak in the eyes of the author. Maybe I read too much into it, but that’s what I saw, and I didn’t care for that commentary at all.
Anyway, overall I really enjoyed this first issue. I already know who the good gals are versus the evil bad men, and I like that I already know who I want to root for. I’m definitely going to be picking up the next issue, and I’m looking forward to seeing where BITCH PLANET goes from here.
I stand by my below thoughts after re-reading this first issue. It was still an incredibly strong start to a series that I seriously fell behind on (am correcting today during Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon).
12/10/14
4 Stars + 1 Star for the Topic
So, I picked up my copy of BITCH PLANET yesterday, because of the hype, because of the subject, and because I wanted another single issue series to pick up.
This comic really started off strong for me. I loved the cover, it’s empowering and magnificent, and it really caught my eye. In the first couple of pages, I really felt that strength and power in both the words and the images on the pages.
The backgrounds in these couple of pages are very enlightening about what Earth is like in this futuristic setting. All the billboards are forcing images of unrealistic beauty women on the world, and telling women that this is what is expected of them. This is beauty, and everything else, is ugly and wrong.
And then, we see the world a little more closely, and we see how warped it really has gotten. Bitch Planet is a place where non-compliant women are imprisoned, and we see the strength of those women that are there. We also see weakness really early on, and it was my one issue with the comic. I feel like it’s a woman’s right to choose how she lives, but it almost seemed like, if you want to live your life as a housewife, you’re considered weak in the eyes of the author. Maybe I read too much into it, but that’s what I saw, and I didn’t care for that commentary at all.
Anyway, overall I really enjoyed this first issue. I already know who the good gals are versus the evil bad men, and I like that I already know who I want to root for. I’m definitely going to be picking up the next issue, and I’m looking forward to seeing where BITCH PLANET goes from here.
I obviously can't give any details because even beginning in issue 2, if I brought up anything plot wise, it would be spoiling issue 1. What I will say is that I definitely recommend this series. The topic is so important in today's society, and I think that DeConnick does a very good job at depicting the topic in a sensitive and harsh way (if that makes any sense).
We learn more about the characters in this issue, and Kam is honestly such a strong and fantastic main character. I'm...enjoying isn't the right word, but I'll use it because my vocabulary isn't that strong...enjoying following Kam's journey in this horrific setting.
Her power is palpable in every page and panel.
We learn more about the characters in this issue, and Kam is honestly such a strong and fantastic main character. I'm...enjoying isn't the right word, but I'll use it because my vocabulary isn't that strong...enjoying following Kam's journey in this horrific setting.
Her power is palpable in every page and panel.
Bitch Planet: Triple Feature, Vol. 1
Mindy Lee, Vanesa R. Del Rey, Chris Visions, Conley Lyons, Alec Valerius, Ro Stein, Marc Deschamps, Valentine De Landro, Alobi, Dylan Meconis, Jon Tsuei, Naomi Franquiz, Jordan Clark, Nyambi Nyambi, Ted Brandt, Sara Woolley, Bassey Nyambi, Cheryl Lynn Eaton, Che Grayson, Craig Yeung, Rossi Gifford, Andrew Aydin, Elsa Charretier, Joanna Estep, Danielle Henderson, Saskia Gutekunst, Sharon Lee De La Cruz, Alissa Sallah, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kit Cox, Matt Fraction, Vita Ayala, Maria Fröhlich
These standalone stories within the Bitch Planet world are good, but since I didn't have a connection with the characters, I just liked this issue. I definitely recommend checking them out though if you're a fan of the main series.
Bitch Planet: Triple Feature #2
Sharon de la Cruz, Ro Stein, Valentine De Landro, Naomi Franquiz, Ted Brandt, Che Grayson, Danielle Henderson
These standalone stories within the Bitch Planet world are more intriguing to me than the first issue. I definitely recommend checking them out though if you're a fan of the main series.
I love standalones, but if a book can't tell the whole story, then I love duologies. It's just a preference of mine. I'll of course read series (and do often), but I tend to find them to have a lot of unnecessary fluff to fill the pages. Not here.
Everything felt necessary to the plot, while continuing to develop the characters into fully fleshed out individuals with charm and flaws and so much adventure. It was just action packed and filled with very real consequences to Alosa's mission.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My only complaint(ish - that doensn't spoil anything) was the introduction of too many secondary or extremely minor characters. I understood the overall purpose behind it, but I felt that Alosa could have still evolved in the manner that the author was portraying with less characters.
Other than that small issue, I appreciated a pirate book filled with piratey adventures and the consequences of that career path. My other main complaint would spoil too much of the story, but it has to do with Alosa. If you're interested, I don't mind talking about it in the comments.
This is just a fun duology that's fast paced, filled with strong female characters, adventure, and genuinely human bad guys. I recommend it for sure, if you don't mind that with some blah romance as well.
Everything felt necessary to the plot, while continuing to develop the characters into fully fleshed out individuals with charm and flaws and so much adventure. It was just action packed and filled with very real consequences to Alosa's mission.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My only complaint(ish - that doensn't spoil anything) was the introduction of too many secondary or extremely minor characters. I understood the overall purpose behind it, but I felt that Alosa could have still evolved in the manner that the author was portraying with less characters.
Other than that small issue, I appreciated a pirate book filled with piratey adventures and the consequences of that career path. My other main complaint would spoil too much of the story, but it has to do with Alosa. If you're interested, I don't mind talking about it in the comments.
This is just a fun duology that's fast paced, filled with strong female characters, adventure, and genuinely human bad guys. I recommend it for sure, if you don't mind that with some blah romance as well.
This is the 8th volume, so obviously no spoilers.
What I will say is that I really appreciated where this story was going, and while at first I didn't get the blase attitude of something that happened at the end of Vol. 7, it really does make sense for these characters. They've gone through so much, that this was just another horrific thing in a life thus far, filled of horrific things.
The highlight of this volume is that one of my favorite characters makes another appearance. And at this point, whenever that happens, I have my fingers crossed hoping and hoping that they make through the volume unscathed.
Because lets face it, it's not a guarantee at this point.
If you haven't read this volume yet, I definitely recommend picking it up soon. It was a good one!
What I will say is that I really appreciated where this story was going, and while at first I didn't get the blase attitude of something that happened at the end of Vol. 7, it really does make sense for these characters. They've gone through so much, that this was just another horrific thing in a life thus far, filled of horrific things.
The highlight of this volume is that one of my favorite characters makes another appearance. And at this point, whenever that happens, I have my fingers crossed hoping and hoping that they make through the volume unscathed.
Because lets face it, it's not a guarantee at this point.
If you haven't read this volume yet, I definitely recommend picking it up soon. It was a good one!
The Absolute Sandman, Volume Two
Malcolm Jones III, Vince Locke, John Watkiss, Steve Oliff, Bryan Talbot, John Bolton, Duncan Eagleson, Mike Dringenberg, Daniel Vozzo, Kelley Jones, Dick Giordano, Stan Woch, P. Craig Russell, Neil Gaiman, George Pratt, Shawn McManus, Todd Klein, Dave McKean, Colleen Doran, Matt Wagner
Clearly 5 Stars - as this is the type of Neil Gaiman that I'm realizing I like the best!
The start of this volume finds Dream being put in his place by Death, and I loved it so. And, we see his continuing adventure from the first volume from there.
We also see a lot of side stories (do they end up being necessary, I'm not sure, and I'm not a critical enough reader to find the connections - TBH), but I enjoyed each of them in their own ways.
The first of these side stories, we follow a young boy, who is unfortunate enough to have to deal with something directly related to Dream's plot. I really liked Charles and felt so bad for everything he goes through in his chapter. Dream has done him dirty and probably doesn't care.
Got to see some real life famous individuals reimagined by Neil, and I really love these stories. I'm not a history buff by any means, so I just really like meeting these characters through the eyes of fiction.
And of course, we saw where some of the secondary characters from Volume 1 are and how they're doing (again, dealing with the consequences of meeting Dream or unfortunate enough of getting into his path while he deals with all his business).
I really can't imagine myself giving these books anything below 5 stars. Did I enjoy every story, nah. But, did I appreciate the imagination it took to create them - hell yes. And that's why I'll always love them. Cannot wait to get to the 3rd volume and continue this story - hopefully meeting more of the Endless along the way!
The start of this volume finds Dream being put in his place by Death, and I loved it so. And, we see his continuing adventure from the first volume from there.
We also see a lot of side stories (do they end up being necessary, I'm not sure, and I'm not a critical enough reader to find the connections - TBH), but I enjoyed each of them in their own ways.
The first of these side stories, we follow a young boy, who is unfortunate enough to have to deal with something directly related to Dream's plot. I really liked Charles and felt so bad for everything he goes through in his chapter. Dream has done him dirty and probably doesn't care.
Got to see some real life famous individuals reimagined by Neil, and I really love these stories. I'm not a history buff by any means, so I just really like meeting these characters through the eyes of fiction.
And of course, we saw where some of the secondary characters from Volume 1 are and how they're doing (again, dealing with the consequences of meeting Dream or unfortunate enough of getting into his path while he deals with all his business).
I really can't imagine myself giving these books anything below 5 stars. Did I enjoy every story, nah. But, did I appreciate the imagination it took to create them - hell yes. And that's why I'll always love them. Cannot wait to get to the 3rd volume and continue this story - hopefully meeting more of the Endless along the way!