REVIEW: Vampire Academy the graphic novel by Richelle Mead

Ooh. Vampire Academy the graphic novel by Richelle Mead is one I've been excited to read. I don't read many graphic novels, I'll admit, but I've really enjoyed them in the past. This one was no exception.

Embarassing confession time: I haven't yet started the Vampire Academy series. I know lots of people love and rave about them, but I've always been a little unsure. I nearly caved last year after all of the excitement and buzz surrounding the publication of Last Sacrifice, but not quite. I have the first three books but I think I've been waiting for something other than a glowing review of the series to push me over into being excited about these books. And the graphic novel really did that for me.

At times, I was a little confused by the cast of characters. Sometimes I was confused about some big event that had just occurred because I couldn't quite work out what the facial expressions in the illustrations meant. But aside from that, I was still gripped throughout it all. Despite it not having all of the thoughts and feelings that would normally be in a novel present, I was still able to feel the tension between Rose and Dmitiri and the close relationship between Lissa and Rose. I learned enough about the Moroi/Strigoi/Dhampir to be sufficiently intrigued. It was all very exciting and fast-paced and I was left guessing and surprised. It's a really fun story that I think is quite suited to a graphic novel format.

I loved the seeing the events unfold as well as reading it. I thought the illustrations were really beautiful. I thought the graphic novel did a great job of fitting everything in in such a short amount of space and it's really the perfect taster for me. I will definitely go from here to reading the novel and perhaps other reluctant readers will do the same.

GIVEAWAY: Bloodlines and Vampire Academy graphic novel (CLOSED)

I'm thrilled to be hosting a giveaway for both Bloodlines by Richelle Mead and a Vampire Academy graphic novel. Just fill in the form below and I shall be picking one winner on 31st of August. A huge thank you to Penguin for being so generous.

As with all of my giveaways, it is not necessary to be a follower of this blog but I do always appreciate all of my new (and old!) followers. This giveaway is for the UK only, sorry to my international readers.

Good luck to you all!

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead - BLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

Vampire Academy graphic novel - After two years on the run, best friends Rose and Lissa are caught and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, a private high school for vampires and half-bloods. It's filled with intrigue, danger - and even romance. Enter their dark, fascinating world through a new series of 144-page full-color graphic novels. The entire first Vampire Academy novel has been adapted for book one by Leigh Dragoon and overseen by Richelle Mead, while the beautiful art of acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli brings the story to life.


Thank you for your interest, however, THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

REVIEW: Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield

In Tyranny, brisk, spare text and illustrations that deal head-on with anorexia propel the reader along on Anna’s journey as she falls prey to the eating disorder, personified as her tormentor, Tyranny.

The novel starts with a single question: “How did I get here?” The answer lies in the pages that follow, and it’s far from simple. Pressured by media, friends, the workplace, personal relationships, and fashion trends, Anna descends into a seemingly unending cycle of misery. And whenever she tries to climb out of the abyss, her own personal demon, Tyranny, is there to push her back in. The contest seems uneven, and it might be except for one thing: Anna’s strength of character has given rise to her deadly enemy. Ironically, it is that same strength of character that has the ultimate power to save her from the ravages of Tyranny.

Brilliantly and realistically presented, Tyranny is a must-read for anyone looking for a better understanding of eating disorders and for everyone looking for a compelling page-turner that is truly a story of triumph and hope.


A really big thank you to the people at Walker for sending this book for me to review. I've never seen a graphic novel deal with the topic of anorexia before, so I was intrigued with it even before I had a copy in my hands. As some of you may know, I had my own experiences with an eating disorder as a teenager, so it is a subject very close to my heart.

The cover of this really stood out for me. It's very striking, the yellow with the drawing of Tyranny. Right from the cover, I realise that one's going to be pretty powerful. The first question, asked 'How did I get here?' and all the memories of my own eating disorders just washed over me. The idea that our main character, Anna, has this other nasty, mean person, Tyranny, hanging around her, telling her things in order to keep her thin and not eating is carried throughout the graphic novel.

Anna is a young woman struggling with her appearance, her new curves as she goes through puberty. She struggles with how she appears to others and her distorted view of herself. She feels like she's being bombarded with the 'ideal image' everywhere she goes, from friends to colleagues to fashion magazines. She comes across quite a few other women along the way with their own battles with dieting, body-image and eating disorders. And it isn't all rosy. In fact, Tyranny is very straight-forward and blunt in the consequences, if Anna continues to let Tyranny be in control. There's no subtlety in this slim graphic novel. Straight to the point, no beating around the bush.

And I think that's where the power and the beauty of Tyranny lies. This hard-hitting look at anorexia at it's deepest level, I feel, is really necessary in order to get the message through to young people everywhere who still struggle with their own versions of Tyranny. There's no glamourising anorexia here, people with eating disorders can end up seriously damaging their health, end up in hospital, face death.

At first, I wondered if the hard-hitting message was for the best. I wondered if a more personal and emotional approach would be better (I didn't particularly connect with Anna's character but definitely did connect to the message) but now I feel like it's probably for the best. I think the stark and simple illustrations fit with the story's message perfectly and that Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield is quite an important read. Powerful and straight to the point.

REVIEW: Slog's Dad by David Almond and Dave McKean

Do you believe there’s life after death? Slog does. He reckons that the scruffy bloke sitting outside the pork shop is his dad come back to visit him for one last time – just like he’d said he would, just before he died. Slog’s mate Davie isn’t convinced. But how does this man know everything Slog’s dad would know? Because Slog says it really is his dad, that’s how.

I hadn't really heard much about this one before I saw it in the library the other day. I've loved David Almond's stories in the past and couldn't pass this one up. I decided as it was quite short that I'd read it there and then in the aisles of my library's middle grade section. Like The Savage, a previous Almond/McKean pairing, Slog's Dad is a story as well as graphic novel. I think David Almond and Dave McKean both bring wonderful things to this story, from the beautiful illustrations to the sweet little story.

It didn't take me long to read, this one, no more than half an hour. This story is told through the eyes of Davie, Slog's mate. Davie doesn't believe that people can back to life after death. But Slog does. Slog thinks the homeless man outside the shops is his dad, come to say hello. And how can Davie say any thing different when he's up against Slog's total and utter belief?

The story of Slog's dad and how he died and how Slog has coped with that is told both through words and through very touching illustrations. I was left captivated by this little story and I was hoping harder than I had in awhile that Slog was right and that belief that his father has came back would be kept alive, even if his dad wasn't. The story, however, was far too short. But still, I would love to see more of David Almond and Dave McKean books in the future. Longer ones.

Graphic novel round-up

I'm really loving all of the graphic novels that I've been reading lately. Here are some mini-reviews of them. Are there other graphic novel fans out there willing to give me recommendations?

Skim by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki - After a boy at school takes his own life, teen-witch Skim's fragile world seems to topple and turn upside down too. In witty, moving and painfully honest diary entries Skim confides the frenzy of grief that surrounds her, while deep down she struggles with her own loneliness and the secret inner stirrings she feels when falling in love for the first time.

I'm not sure what I was expecting with Skim, but this wasn't it. It was slightly strange.. I felt like the boy at school who committed suicide would have more of a role to play in the story but it isn't until late into the story when we found out the boy's motivations for suicide that we can see the relevance to Skim's story. 'Skim' is a bit unusual main character, a mixed race goth girl, a bit overweight, who practices Wicca and has a crush on her teacher, Ms. Archer. I really enjoyed it, the illustrations are really beautiful, and even though I didn't quite know where everything was going, I find it an interesting journey to take along with Skim.

Maus II by Art Spiegleman - In a comic-book-style tale of the author's parents, Vladek and Anja, Vladek survives Auschwitz, is reunited with Anja, and sires young Art.

I was finally able to read the second part of Maus. I was hoping that it would answer some of my questions about Anja's suicide but as you'd expect, a lot of the story focuses on how Vladek manages to survive Auschwitz and a lot of the harrowing experiences that he went through. I wish that I'd read the two volumes closer together, as I only remembered the feelings I felt when reading the first Maus and not many of the details. I remember feeling a bit heartbroken at the first, and it was the same, if a little more with this second volume.

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life vol. 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley - Scott Pilgrim's life is totally sweet. He's 23 years old, he's in a rock band, he's "between jobs," and he's dating a cute high school girl. Nothing could possibly go wrong, unless a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. Will Scott's awesome life get turned upside-down? Will he have to face Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends in battle? The short answer is yes. The long answer is Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life.


I admit to not having heard of Scott Pilgrim or these graphic novels before I saw the trailer for the new movie (Michael Cera!). But once I got past the movie trailer and realised it was based on these graphic novels (more volume 2), I started my hunt to track them down. I've only managed to find the first volume and sadly, if you've seen the movie trailer (there I go with the movie trailer again!) you know the basis of the plot for volume 1. It's still fun to read as we're introduced to Scott, his friends, his girl friend and his new love interest. And the first of the Evil exes. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. And the fight scene at the end was worth the wait!

It really is quite fun and I am definitely looking forward to reading more!

Twilight: the graphic novel, volume 1 - When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret... Beautifully rendered, this first installment of Twilight: The Graphic Novel is a must-have for any collector’s library.

Like I said, I picked this book up on a whim at the library the other day. I was in a bit of a book reading slump at the time, and I thought something with lots of pictures and a story that I was familiar with would help. I did enjoy the illustrations, though Bella and Edward look very different in my head. And I think the graphic novels would be a great stepping stone into the series, if readers are a little unsure if they'll enjoy the plot. And for Twilight-collectors, of course.

But as I was familiar already with the novel, I found myself focusing on the parts that were missing. Some scenes and conversations have been reduced to the basic functions and I can understand that. It's a bit like when books are turned into movies and the die-hard book fans keep complaining that little details are left out. It's very much the same when a book is turned into a graphic novel, I feel. It's telling the story, just in a different medium and with different techniques. I found myself slightly annoyed with the missing details, so I don't feel like I'll be reading the other volumes. But the pictures were pretty!

I have a stack of graphic novels laying about, would anyone be interested if I hosted a giveaway?

Graphic Novel round-up

I've always been a little intimidated by graphic novels. Mostly because when I think of graphic novels, I always think along the lines of Batman and Superman comics and the sort of hard core fans that come with them and I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable in those conditions. But graphic novels aren't limited to superheroes. Graphic novels are just as diverse as regular novels and there are some really great ones out there and I'm only just discovering some of them.

Maus by Art Spiegleman - I believe this was the first graphic novel I read. And I read it back in January. It's amazing. I remember people raving about the book when I worked in Books Etc all those years ago and now I'm kicking myself that I waited so long to pick up Maus.

I really loved the illustrations - the Nazi cats and the Jewish rats, I thought that was really clever. At the same time as telling this heartbreaking story of his father's survival during WWII, there's also this complicated relationship between father and his new wife, and father and son and the effects that the war has had on all their lives. I've only read the first part of the story and I'm anxious to read the second part. I'd really like to get back to these characters, especially the sarcastic Vladek.

The Comical Tragedy or Tragical comedy of Mr Punch by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean - I've always, always had a bit of a literary crush on Neil Gaiman but I've tried reading the Sandman graphic novels without any success so far. When I saw this book, I thought 'wahey, a stand-alone Neil Gaiman GN!' and did a little dance. My dance was short-lived. Because Mr Punch is one of the darkest, creepiest things I've ever read. Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, my god, there is such darkness in your heads for creating this gruesome little story and accompanying it with those frightening illustrations! Gave! Me! Nightmares! I finished this and I swear to you, I had to watch scenes from musicals like The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music on youtube to tip the balance of the disturbing occuping my head. I will never again think of Mr Punch in the same way. *shudder*

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang - This book was unexpected. I didn't know much about it beforehand, just that several people mentioned it as a starting place for first-time graphic novel readers. So I requested it on my book-swapping website and when it arrived, I thought, 'ooh.' And I read the little synopsis which read that the book is split into three parts, the first a folktale of sorts about a monkey who would like to be revered as a god; a Chinese boy who falls in love with an American girl; and a high school student who is embarassed by his Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee. And if you think you know how these three stories go together, you'd be wrong. I promise. Like I said, American Born Chinese turned out to be something entirely different than I expected. It's very weird. And uncomfortable to read in parts, especially in regards to the depiction of Chin-Kee. It brings up issues of racism and stereotypes and is meant to make people feel uncomfortable.

I did like the overall message of being comfortable with who are and highlighting the racism that exists, but the strangeness of some of the storylines probably overshadowed that message for me.

And finally, we have Embroideries by Marjane Sartapi - Earlier in the year, I read Persepolis by the same author and loved it. So I made it my goal to hunt down some of Sartapi's other works to give them a try as well. And first into my house is Embroideries. And what a fun, little graphic novel this was. It relates the stories of Sartapi's (female) family and friends and neighbours. And specifically the stories that concern their love and sex lives. And the sex lives of a bunch of Iranian women is not something I thought I would ever read about, but it's refreshing to see such topics being openly discussed and it brings to light a lot of different issues, such as the importance of virginity and the ways in which women have been treated over different generations. The stories include happy and unhappy marriages, love, and keeping up appearances. It's mostly light and entertaining. I'm glad that I read it, but I wish it were longer and that some of the stories were told more in-depth.

So, there we have it. Four very different graphic novels. Now that I've read these, I'm desperate for more. Have you read any wonderful graphic novels lately? Leave your recommendations in the comments!

REVIEW: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

I've never read a graphic novel before. I'm not sure what to call it actually, is 'graphic memoir' the correct term? Either way, Persepolis was amazing. I'm not sure if it would have been possible for me to put this book done before I'd finished. And I did whip right through it.

It's the story of Marjane Satrapi from the ages of 8-14, as she grows up in Tehran during the Islamic revolution and the war with Iraq before being sent to Vienna for her own safety. Marjane's parents are Marxist and they and many close friends and family members are involved in the revolution, so Marjane witnesses and is aware of a lot of the injustices. Satrapi family is quite a liberal one, so the changes in their life under a new fundamentalist regime is difficult. The Iranian revolution isn't a subject that I was very familiar with before reading this book, but Persepolis put a very human face on some of the suffering. It's told very simply by a cute little girl who is struggling to find out who she is and what she believes in a time of upheaval. Though a difficult subject matter, the entire story is told with a bit of humour.

Because I've never read a graphic novel before, I did find myself sometimes only reading the text and missing out on the illustrations but I soon got used to that. I found the illustrations to be quite simplistic but very effective. The use of black-and-white seemed to be the right fit for the story. I really cannot wait to read the second installment of Marjane's story and the film also sounds amazing. This was a wonderful first book to read to introduce me into the genre of graphic novels!

Other opinions:

Bookslut (with interview with author)
CulturePulp (interview)
Eye on Everything
She Is Too Fond of Books
The Bookling
Bart's Bookshelf
S. Krishna's Books
Rebecca Reads
things mean a lot
Trashionista

Read for: 100+ reading challenge, Support Your Local Library, Women Unbound reading challenge

What's your favourite graphic novel? I'm new to this scene and need some suggestions of where to go next!