Where I got it: LibraryRating: 3 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (Interesting illustrations on the cover and throughout. I really love the colors on the cover and how Rue is on all of them.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Page Count: 117 p.
First Line:
"My name is Rue, like Kangaroo or like 'You'll rue the day we met Mwa-ha-ha!'"
Favorite Line:
" I don't remember when I realized my mother was crazy."
Where I got it: Library
Rating: 3 starsCover Rating: 4 stars (Interesting illustrations on the cover and throughout. I really love the colors on the cover and how Rue is on all of them.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Page Count: 115 p.
First Line:
First Line:
"One you know things, you can't unknow them."
Favorite Lines:
"But I've never broken into a building with people in it. Assuming you're willing to call them people."
Where I got it: Library
Favorite Line:
"My dreams are uneasy."
One day Rue wakes up and her mom has disappeared. She heard her parents arguing the night before and then in the morning she has vanished. Her father has barely said a word since. It's been three weeks and her father hasn't done anything. Rue doesn't understand why he isn't looking for her. Then her father gets arrested for suspicion of murder for one of his students and his missing wife. To clear his name, or possibly for her own intentions Rue's mother returns briefly, and by this time Rue has found out a bit more about her mom. Her mother is not human, but rather Fey, which makes Rue part Fey too–part not human. While her mother was away Rue's grandfather had contacted her for the first time. He tried to get her to come with him, to be like him, to help him with his plans. She refused. How long can you refuse what's in your blood though?
This was an interesting story, though it seemed held together with only vague ties. Granted in the graphic novel format it's a bit trickier to develop depth of character, it is still possible. A lot of the characters in this were forgettable, when a name was mentioned I often couldn't place who it was. I liked the idea of the faerie world coexisting with a mortal one with only some able to tell. I also appreciated that the fey no longer wanted to hide but instead wanted to come out and play. The illustrations were odd and whimsical, which fit perfectly with the story. They were in black and white which was interesting, except at one point Rue says "Today at school, everything is different. The colors seem brighter." which is hard to picture when there are no colors. It's like some one in a black and white movie commenting on somebody's shirt or hair color. It's just hard to imagine what it actually looks like. Rue didn't really seem to fit in with her crowd, but appearances can be deceiving. Mostly I was just disappointed in the lack of character development. Everyone in this novel was in the now. They had no past and no future they, they didn't look back or forward they only loved at that moment. If you like Holly Black or Ted Naifeh's other works I would definitely pick this series up. It's a very quick read through, depending on how long you stare at the pictures.
Where I got it: LibraryRating: 3 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (Interesting illustrations on the cover and throughout. I really love the colors on the cover and how Rue is on all of them.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Page Count: 111 p.
First Line:
"No one knows the exact location of Fortunate Isles–the Isles of the Blessed."Favorite Line:
"My dreams are uneasy."
One day Rue wakes up and her mom has disappeared. She heard her parents arguing the night before and then in the morning she has vanished. Her father has barely said a word since. It's been three weeks and her father hasn't done anything. Rue doesn't understand why he isn't looking for her. Then her father gets arrested for suspicion of murder for one of his students and his missing wife. To clear his name, or possibly for her own intentions Rue's mother returns briefly, and by this time Rue has found out a bit more about her mom. Her mother is not human, but rather Fey, which makes Rue part Fey too–part not human. While her mother was away Rue's grandfather had contacted her for the first time. He tried to get her to come with him, to be like him, to help him with his plans. She refused. How long can you refuse what's in your blood though?
This was an interesting story, though it seemed held together with only vague ties. Granted in the graphic novel format it's a bit trickier to develop depth of character, it is still possible. A lot of the characters in this were forgettable, when a name was mentioned I often couldn't place who it was. I liked the idea of the faerie world coexisting with a mortal one with only some able to tell. I also appreciated that the fey no longer wanted to hide but instead wanted to come out and play. The illustrations were odd and whimsical, which fit perfectly with the story. They were in black and white which was interesting, except at one point Rue says "Today at school, everything is different. The colors seem brighter." which is hard to picture when there are no colors. It's like some one in a black and white movie commenting on somebody's shirt or hair color. It's just hard to imagine what it actually looks like. Rue didn't really seem to fit in with her crowd, but appearances can be deceiving. Mostly I was just disappointed in the lack of character development. Everyone in this novel was in the now. They had no past and no future they, they didn't look back or forward they only loved at that moment. If you like Holly Black or Ted Naifeh's other works I would definitely pick this series up. It's a very quick read through, depending on how long you stare at the pictures. 
I actually haven't read anything by Holly Black and didnt even know she wrote this graphic novel series. Too bad about the lack of character development, I will probably try one her novels instead.
ReplyDeleteI've read some of her novels but am not a huge graphic novel fan. Great review though and I'll tell Jake about it.
ReplyDeleteI read White Cat by Holly Black and it madae me think she was a genius. Maybe Graphic Novels aren't her forte. I have read that her other novels Tithe, Valiant and Black are excellent and I have them, sitting there waiting to be read with many other titles. White Cat was such a great book, even my 14 year old read it and actually discussed it with me! That's a big thing for a mom. I'm not into Graphic Novels so I'll skip these. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteHeather