Review of Ms. Marvel Volumes 3&4

I'm back with another graphic novel review this month. . In the past I have reviewed Ms. Marvel comics and Kamala is back in the review this month. I found the comics easy one sitting reads.  

Crushed (Volume 3) 

Kamala has adjusted to her powers and “secret” life as a super hero. That is until she is confronted with two new villains, though the first (Loki) is easily put down but the second (Kamran) will not give up so easily, nor is he as easily detected. 

Kamala has learned to use her powers and successfully saves her schools dance (which while invited

Defeating Loki

to she is unable to attend because of her strict parents) from Loki as he seeks possible enemies lurking in the school. After this easy victory Kamala is not as vigilant as she should be and a second enemy rises more subtly.  

This new enemy comes in the form of the perfect guy for Kamala, that is someone her parents would approve of. Kamran is perfect in every way, he even has a secret of his own....he is just like Kamala (that is he has powers). While sneaking out on a “date” with him Kamala is captured by the evil inhumans who want to take over the world. And Kamran is one of them, he brought her in to make her one of them. Finaly, with a bit of help from Bruno Kamala escapes and returns home. 

The story is well written with many action sequences. However, the plot was predictable. The perfect guy turning bad with the best friend (and supposed wrong choice) being there in the end to help save the day. Many of the key tropes for comics are present and it was an enjoyable easy read. 

Last Day (Volume 4) 

Kamala meets her namesake in this exciting and awful volume. The story is set during the final days on earth unless something drastic and impossible happens.  

Carol Danvers (AKA Captain Marvel) shows up to tell Kamala the tragic news and how Kamala will need to stand alone to protect her home; which currently seems impossible to everyone who knows what is truly happening. Captain Marvel helps Kamala overcome her heartache and learn to make the tough choices, even if that means not saving everyone. Each new development only pushes Kamala further into distress, especially after the last episode with Kamran. She just can't seem to catch a break. 

Kamala's Mom reveals

she knows

This comic sees Kamala grow as a character, both behind her mask and without it. Readers see how she interacts with Captain Marvel and her own parents, the shifts in how she saw people before the “end” and at it are vast. Kamala is portrayed as real and has emotions while making the tough choices.  

Conclusion 

Both volumes are well written and easy to read. The illustrations are colorful and convey the emotions of the story well. Each panel continues the story one. The mixture of speech and narration bubbles adds depth to the storytelling. Overall, the books are well written and illustrated. While I enjoy reading them, they feel predictable in following common superhero themes. 

References 

Willson, G. W. (2015). Ms. Marvel: Crushed. QC, Canada: Marvel Now! 

Willson, G. W. (2015). Ms. Marvel: Last Days. QC, Canada: Marvel Now! 

Images are pictures taken of the books by me. 

Review of Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir & Steenz

Cover art by Steenz

This is a graphic novel which was suggested for the YA collection in my library. I thought the title and premise were interesting though I did not fully understand just how important the message of the book would be. Weir draws on her own experience with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide for inspiration for the main character, Celeste, in the story (Weir & Steenz, 2018, 267). This brings to the forefront the importance of seeking help for mental health issues and taking care of one’s self.

Cel seeing the ad for the job

The story itself is quite inventive and lends itself to the macabre style used by Steenz in the imagery nicely. The story tells how after a bout with depression and mental health problems a young librarian finds herself jobless and in need of a new purpose. Celeste (Cel) is looking for something to do when she stumbles upon a strange add for an archivist, without a degree. In two frames Steenz captures the

feels of Cel as she sees the job opening, it could be horrible or maybe a good opportunity. The following panels illustrate how “haunted” the Logan Museum maybe, after all, it is a medical museum with actual human skulls and other “specimens.” After taking the job from Aba, the chief curator, Cel finds herself in an apartment above the museum, which is fine except for the sounds she hears on her first night. Is the museum actually haunted, as suggested by Gina, Cel’s supervisor’s girlfriend? Or is it just her imagination as Aba suggests? This is the premise of the story and the panels illustrate the frustration Cel has with everyone around her and the struggle with her mental health issues along the way. As she works in the museum archive things take a worse turn as she begins seeing visions and things happen as if a ghost/spirit were present. By the time Cel finally confides in Holly, her supervisor, what is happening, she does not believe her. Cel has the same trouble with Kyle, her boyfriend. These rejections lead her to feel crazy again. The story continues until Cel realizes perhaps she is actually seeing a ghost of a past patient. If that is true what must she do to help the other woman find peace, and maybe it will help her too. Each twist in the story brings new elements of depression and the stigma of mental health issues to light.

Contrast of present and
flashback (right two panels)

Steenz has done a beautiful job of illustrating this ghost tale but including elements to keep the seriousness of the matter seen. Nothing is done disrespectfully, and the images convey the terror of past asylums, as seen in flashbacks which Cel has in dreams. Each image is wonderfully collared and smoothly integrates with the text keeping readers interested.

Transition pages

I enjoyed this book, reading it in one sitting (I can’t remember the last book I read like that!). The story is pertinent to our time when so many people feel forgotten or pushed aside, remember everyone matters. Cel feels alone, as does the ghost girl; they just want someone to care for them. The message is important for everyone to hear, you are important.

Reference

Weir, I. N. and Steenz (2018. Archival quality. Portland, OR: Oni Press.

Images are of the book taken by me. Images illustrated by Steenz for the book.

Review: The Ruin of Kings

I have recently found it more difficult to find a book I want to read/finish but The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons was recommended to me by one of my co-workers (at the library) because she thought I might enjoy it. I did for the most part but felt that some arcs were not necessary to move the plot along. This book is most certainly for a more mature audience, even than I typically read.

The Plot

For the most part, this story is told by two narrators, coming to the same end from different times but still with the same main character. Kihrin is a young thief and singer living in the Velvet Town (basically the red light district) of the capital city of Quur, where he lives with his father at a Velvet club. Kihrin, who is almost 16 at the beginning of the tale, and his father perform while the clients watch the women perform. This backdrop is key to some points in the story and is used to cover up who Kihrin truly is (revealed later in the narrative).

The story is told by two narrators in alternating turns. Kihrin is the first narrator and explains how he came to be involved with Darzin, the Lord Heir to the House D’Mon, and the other high courts. While the second narrator is Talon, a Mimic who can change form and absorb other’s personalities, memories, and shapes. Talons tale is more sensual and darker she details the many dark secrets of Kihrin’s past and what led to his ultimate capture.

In the course of both narratives, Kihrin learns that he must ultimately aid in the defeat of Xaltorath the King (or Queen) of the Demons.  At each turn, there is deception and intrigue, followed closely with romance and pleasures. He never knows who to trust, even beginning to doubt his own beliefs in the process. Kihrin learns that everything he thought was real may have been a lie, causing him to trust no one, not even the Eight Immortals, who are viewed as gods.

My Opinion

In my opinion, the Lyons does well in writing the story. It is intriguing and hard to put down, though I could have done with out many of the sex scenes. However, in the story the did tend to be important. Each character is given a unique personality and even grows as the tale is told. Having two stories with the same key character was difficult, for time did not seem to pass but did it? The book, as a whole, was great but would only be for mature audiences. Take this book carefully the action is well written, but this also means any other actions are detailed as well. Lyons style is exciting, even if I did not fully appreciate all of the content.

Reference

Lyons, J. (2019). The ruin of kings. New York: Tor.

Images of books taken by me.

Review of Susan Orlean's The Library Book

In this true “crime” novel by journalist Susan Orlean readers are brought into the intrigue of the Central Library fire in Los Angeles CA. For those who have read the Orchid Thief, this book will have a familiar feel. The writing is interesting, and the first-person narrative of many sections draws readers in placing them in the library as Orlean tours all the departments of it with the current staff as she researched to book.

Inside Back Cover

Each chapter begins with the catalog information of books related to or mentioned in it. Some of the books were lost and/or damaged in the fire while others are simply pertinent to the section. This added element makes the book entertaining, along with the old-style card printed on the back of the book (I must admit when I first saw the illustration I thought it was real).

The Library Book details the events of the Central Library Fire in 1986 and how one man’s story changed the narrative. Orlean seeks out as much information as she can speaking with eyewitnesses of the fire, librarians, and even family members of the man accused of starting it. Each new lead adds surprising elements and twists of fate until the ultimate conclusion is yet to be resolved. In her journalist style, she leaves no stone unturned even detaining her exploration of the “library” world.

Many of the elements I found interesting, though would have liked a bit more about the fire and not Orlean’s personal journey. The title even is a bit misleading, it does not discuss one single book but many, how they were destroyed or salvaged, and how LA rebuilt its Central Library.

Reference

Orlean, S. (2018).  The Library Book. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Images of the book inside and cover taken by me.

The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm Review

Christopher Paolini returns to Alagaësia in this volume of short stories entitled The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm: Tales from Alagaësia. The three tales are interwoven yet each stand alone. The subtitle states this is Volume 1: Eragon. The entire book focuses on Eragon one year after the final chapters of Inheritance and the victory he and Saphira enabled.

This book is simply too short. I wish there were more and am excited to see if there are any more volumes in this Tales of Alagaësia “series”. Each of the tales demonstrates Paolini’s skill in writing and also introduces the writing of his sister Angela (who writes about her namesake character in the section entitled “The Witch”). I enjoyed the fast-paced motion of this book each element moved on, with a few surprises hiding in the shadows.

Readers who are familiar with the books will enter the world again and see more aspects of beloved characters. While I would not suggest this as a place for new visitors to Alagaësia it does provide a glimpse into what the previous books had.

The Fork

This unlikely tale is not about Eragon at all, but about a “stranger” in a distant land who was monitored by the Eldinarí (Dragons in their gem-like hearts). These ancient dragons are helping Eragon to see that he is capable of leading the new Riders and organizing the new order. The story is well written and has a surprise ending, which many readers of the Inheritance Cycle will be pleased with. I found the characters intriguing and even more enjoyable after the completion of the story.

The Witch

This section was penned by Angela Paolini and is written as her namesake character, the witch woman Angela. Angela (the character) has started writing an autobiography and would like Eragon to read it, however, it is not complete but must be read in a specific order. This glimpse into the eclectic personality of the witch leaves just as many questions as answers. The story is written in a unique style using snippets of a life to complete a whole. Each antecedent details an event which shaped the woman who would become Angela. This section is divided into the chapters of her book but with many “chapters” missing such as moving from chapter 7 to chapter 23 with nothing between. It is an exciting and quick read.

The Worm

The third and largest section of this book is dedicated to the story, not of a worm (or dragon) as one would think but an Urgal warrior who is sworn to defeat the titular worm. In this section, Eragon is mourning the death of dwarves who were opening tunnels under the fortress and seeks the company of the Urgal delegates. They begin to tell the tale of a woman warrior so focused on one task that she lets it cloud her judgment and life. This story is beautifully written and makes readers forget how ugly the tellers were portrayed in the original books (they were the enemy throughout much of the tale).  I truly enjoyed learning more about their culture and folklore in this story.

Concluding Thought

I enjoyed this well-written book about familiar characters. It was like seeing old friends on these pages and taking time to catch up. Each story expanded different characters and their aspects making for a richer understanding of them. Interspersed throughout the three stories was a theme of Eragon settling into his new duties and trying to learn balance. His friends help him and when things go wrong, such as a tunnel collapse, are there to offer support and wisdom. The ending of the book is excellent and leaves hope for Alagësia. I recommend reading this book for all who have read the Inheritance Cycle and enjoyed it.

References

Paolini, C. (2018). The fork, the witch, and the worm: Tales from Alagaesia: Volume 1: Eragon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Cover Image from the book taken by me.