Graphic Novel Reviews – Cindy's Love Of Books

Review/ Monster Mayhem

Posted on September 8, 2018September 7, 2018 by Cindy

Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos
Published by Dial Books on August 28, 2018
Pages: 216
Goodreads

In this funny, action-packed graphic novel adventure, a science-obsessed girl finds herself in the middle of one of her favorite monster movies. Can she invent her way out of disaster while also saving the monster who has become her friend?
Zoe's favorite thing to do--besides invent and build robots--is watch classic monster movies. She has never been comfortable with kids her own age, and so she pretends she doesn't need friends while inside she's longing for connection. And then one day, Zoe finds a mysterious ring on her way home from school. She puts it on, gives it a twist, and--FRZAAKK! There's a massive burst of light! The next morning, a familiar monster appears at Zoe's window. He's from one of her favorite kaiju movies, and he likes Zoe--he wants to be her friend. Has her secret wish been fulfilled? But it turns out that Zoe's ring has brought more than just this friendly monster to life. More monsters have arrived, and they are hungry! Now she'll need to reach out to other people to help her save her town from destruction. Good thing she's a robotics genius!

Recently I was sent a little surprise package from Penguin Random House Canada and inside was this super cute and fun to read graphic novel that I am under no obligation to review but I have chosen to read and review it because I am sure this would appeal to all middle grade kids who love to have a laugh and read graphic novels.

If you read my blog on a regular bases you know that I don’t tend to review a lot of graphic novels and mainly that is because its not something I buy or get sent to review but I am hoping that will change from this point forward.

Graphic novels are such a fun and almost quick read. I was able to finish this up within a few hours. The graphics are amazing and eye catching. I loved reading this. I think this would appeal to both girls and boys just because it covers robots and monsters. Plus I loved the theme behind it, yes its okay to do things on your own and its okay to admit that when you need help you can ask for it.

Our main character is Zoe. She is super smart when it comes to doing robotics and to her that is all she needs in life because any friend she has made has always ended up hurting her in someway. She wants nothing to do with that heart ache. That is her perfect world. But in reality we all need that one true friend who will be there for us and you can help but root that it will happen for Zoe.

Zoe is content until she finds this ring which she thinks is just a ring but soon realizes there is more to it and soon realizes that the ring has summoned a monster who loves to eat. He thinks he is there to help and before long more monsters arrive, Before long Zoe is in over her head. How will she react? What will she do?

I really enjoyed reading this it was such a fun and cute read.

Review/ Courtney Crumrin Tales of a Warlock Vol. 7

Posted on June 8, 2015May 16, 2015 by Cindy

Courtney Crumrin Tales of a Warlock Series: Courtney Crumrin Volume 7

by Ted Naifeh
Format: Hardcover
Published by Oni Press on March 18th 2015
Pages: 128
Goodreads
Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, General, Young Adult

At long last, Courtney Crumrin Tales returns... in full color! Though the Witches and Warlocks of Hillsborough keep to themselves under Ravenna’s Law, there are outliers who are a danger to others. The Anti-Sorcery Society, headed by mortal Horace Crisp, seeks to destroy these individuals, and Aloysius Crumrin, an eager young man, offers his assistance–keeping his magical ancestry to himself, of course. But he doesn't count on Alice Crisp, Horace’s tenacious daughter, accompanying him on missions, or on trusting her with his secret… or on falling in love. Which proves more dangerous than anything when Horace becomes his enemy…

Review/ Courtney Crumrin The Final Spell Vol.6

Posted on May 22, 2015May 16, 2015 by Cindy

Courtney Crumin The Final Spell Series: Courtney Crumrin #6

Format: Hardcover
Published by Oni Press on August 20, 2014
Pages: 152

On the run from the Coven with her former teacher Calpurnia, Courtney Crumrin is quickly learning just how sinister the witches and warlocks of Hillsborough can be - but she never thought she'd see the day when Uncle Aloysius turned on her as well. It's a lot harder to fight a battle when the only family you care about is against you, and Courtney's only salvation may lie in the Twilight Kingdom - and away from the mortal world. But Aloysius won't give up his niece so easily, even if he has to fight the night creatures to do it!

Originally this was suppose to be the final book in the Courtney Crumrin series but I see they did another volume which I am just about to read.

Like the previous books it picks right up where volume 5 ended which I think is really nice. I am sure they could have combined all the comics into one volume or even two but that is just my opinion.

This will be basically a mini review because I don’t want to give to much away. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed this one. Its nice to see how much Courtney has grown from the first volume. She is a cute and spunky girl who takes nothing from no one.

Courtney is reunited with her former teacher Calpurnia and they are on the run from the Coven. It seems like everyone has turned on Courtney even her uncle. It appears like Courtney knows too much and they are trying to get to her and make her forget everything she knows but will she allow that?

In this volume Courtney dominates and lets nothing stand in her way.

This was a fast pace read.

Review/ Courtney Crumrin The Witch Next Door Vol 5

Posted on May 21, 2015May 16, 2015 by Cindy

Courtney Crumrin, Volume 5: The Witch Next Door Series: Courtney Crumrin #5

by Ted Naifeh
Format: Hardcover
Published by Oni Press on May 14th 2014
Pages: 148
Goodreads
Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, General, Young Adult

The first five issues of the full-color Courtney Crumrin comic series are collected for the first time in a special hardcover edition! Holly Hart is new to Hillsborough and witchcraft. When her family moves in next to Courtney, the two girls quickly become friends. But as Courtney watches Holly making the same mistakes she once made, she begins to have second thoughts about teaching the girl magic. And when Holly sees the aftermath of the other children's

One of the good things about getting back into the library is being able to catch up on some graphic novels that I discovered last summer and imagine my surprise when I discovered that the next three volumes of Courtney Crumrin were out. I quickly borrowed them because I wanted to catch up.

The Witch Next Door is volume 5 and they are super quick reads. It picks right up from where volume 4 left off which is really nice.

In this graphic novel a new girl (Holly) moves in and its right across from Courtney’s uncle’s house. Courtney is thrilled to finally have a friend and things are going really good until magic steps in between their friendship. Courtney and Holly get along so well because they both are deemed as outcast and appear to be exactly alike in manner and style of clothing. I think Holly is thrilled to finally have found a friend.

I don’t want to say much more about the book because I can literally give it away. Its a really good read and if your a fan of dark graphic novels then I have to recommend this. It was nice to see how much Courtney has grown emotionally, mentally and magically.

The Good Neighbors Book Two: Kith Review

Posted on November 7, 2009April 14, 2014 by Cindy

TITLE: The Good Neighbors-Book Two: Kith
AUTHOR: Holly Black
ILLUSTRATOR: Ted Naifeh
PUB DATE: October 1, 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rue Silver’s life is not what it appears to be. Her mother is a faerie, and has been taken back to the faerie realm. As Rue goes to bring her back, she must travel deep into an inhuman world. At the same time, the faerie realm is venturing into our world too, and taking its toll on those Rue loves.

MY THOUGHTS:

I found out that this is going to be a trilogy which I am super excited about it. I was trying to find out online when Book Three would be done and couldn’t find anything.

Rue discovers that her father is human and her mother is a faery and that Rue is trying to get use to this new way of life. Trying to live in both worlds.

Rue’s world is so out of control and things are changing. Dale, Lucy and Justin have changed. Everything that Rue knows is changing.

When Rue discovers that the world as she knows it is about to change for the worst she decides she has to save it and that it all lies in her hands. In order to do that she has to go back to the faery world and resist the temptation to stay there. Will she be able to resist the urge? Will she be able to save her mother and the world?

The illustrations in this book were just as fantastic as the first one and done in the same way. This was another quick read at 115 pages. I can’t wait for the last book to come out.

This book was provided for review by myself. I bought this book when I found out that Holly Black was coming to town.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

The Good Neighbors Book One: Kin Review

Posted on November 6, 2009April 14, 2014 by Cindy

TITLE: The Good Neighbors-Book One: Kin
AUTHOR: Holly Black
ILLUSTRATOR: Ted Naifeh
PUB DATE: October 1, 2008 (Hardcover) October 1, 2009 (Trade)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rue Silver is about to discover that her life isn’t at all what it appears to be. She returns home one day to find her mother missing — and her father blamed for her disappearance. Did he commit murder? Or is there another truth beneath it all?

As she did so masterfully in The Spiderwick Chronicles and her novels Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside, Holly Black creates a mysterious, dark world full of threat, romance, and illusion this time matched by the amazing imagination of graphic artist Ted Naifeh.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first time I have ever read a graphic novel. The closest I have ever come to this was comic books when I was a kid. I know that is nothing like this but after reading The Good Neighbors I have to say that I think I have found another genre of books that I am interested in reading and discovering.

I really enjoyed reading book one. It was a quick read (117 pages) and the illustrations were amazing. Even though the cover is in color the illustrations in the book are done in black and white.

Looking at Rue you realize she is a regular teenager (on the outside). She lives at home with her parents (her dad is a professor and her mother is your typical stay at home mom), goes to school, doesn’t have a care in the world,

“I don’t sweat stuff. Worrying just gives you wrinkle lines or stress hives or
an acid stomach you can’t soothe with a whole box of Tums.”

and dates Dale, the lead singer of a rock band. When they aren’t in school Rue, Dale, her friend Lucy and Justin, Lucy’s boyfriend have a weekend tradition of spending their time drinking coffee and then breaking into abandoned buildings that have a history and taking pictures.

She puts on a brave face and lets everyone things nothing bothers her, but then suddenly when her mother up and goes missing for three weeks Rue can’t handle it and begins to crack. Rue has always been different and could never really explain it but thinks she is loosing her mind. Rue sees and hears things. At first they use to be just be out of the corner of her eye, but lately Rue has noticed it happening more and more and right out in the open. Is she imaging things or is it really happening?

On the night they are out breaking into a building they go up to the roof and spot police cars at Rue’s house apparently one of her father’s college students has been found dead and the Police believe Rue’s dad killed her.

When her dad is arrest Amanda, who is a family friend offers to stays with her while her father is in custody. She tells Rue that everything will be okay. Rue knows that everything won’t be okay and she is determined to find out the truth about everything. She soon discovers that in uncovering the truth that it will change her whole world as she knows it.

Is Rue’s dad really a killer? What will Rue do when she discovers that her whole life isn’t what she thought it would be?

This book was provided for review by myself. I bought this book when I heard Holly Black was coming to town.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.