Update on the Challenge Thus Far

How I feel about my current To-Read list.

WHEW. It's already three weeks into March. According to Goodreads, I've read 21/100 books and I'm currently "1 book behind schedule". Well, Goodreads can stuff it. As far as I'M concerned, I'm perfectly on track and totally not crying over the amount of stuff left on my To Do list.

How I'm sure the books feel about their To-Read status.

While I definitely intend to branch out in terms of genre, so far this list has been dominated by sci-fi and graphic novels. I do apologize for that, but for the record, they've been really, really good books. You may (or may not) be wondering why so far I've had glaringly positive reviews on this blog. On Goodreads, it's a little bit of a different story. The truth is, I want this blog to have a nice, positive atmosphere, not a group of angry villagers with pitchforks. I don't like talking about all the reasons why I don't like something when I could put the energy into something more positive. I try to limit my negative reviews on Goodreads to less than a paragraph, unless it's so awful I just can't contain myself.

Anywho, this is just a small update so you all know I haven't given up on this blog. I'm still more than willing to accept recommendations for future reads!

In progress (in audiobook form):

Spotlight Read: Monstress by Marjorie M. Lui

GASP a quote on the cover from Neil Gaiman? Art deco plus steampunk art?! Talking animals and magical hybrids?? Man, it's almost like Rhianna's dream. To further that idea, the plot surrounds an incredibly diverse, mostly female-lead, ragtag bunch in a mystical version of Asia. And the main character, Maika Halfwolf, is technically handicapped- she's missing her left forearm. 

Okay, how FREAKING cute is this character? This is Kippa, an archanic, with the feline Master Ren.

It's not every day that I'll buy a comic when I'm not even done reading it. I was 1/3 of the way into this one before I knew I had to buy it, no question. I don't want to get too heavy into the plot because seriously, it's so well done that I'm afraid I'll get ahead of myself and end up diving into my spoilerific conspiracy theories about where the story is headed. But this is what I will say: there is a war between the Arcanic and the Cumea, sorceresses  which feed off the power the Arcanic posess. Archanics, although some can pass as human like our protagonist Maika, others, like the adorable Kippa, are obvious to those wishing to do Archanics harm. The first few pages show everything from cannibalism, torture, and kidnapping, even hinting at the genocide behind the acts. Now that's a heavy plot to follow right off the part, but Lui writing is absolutely mesmerizing. I had to force myself to deliberately slow my reading speed down to fully take in everything on the page.

Let me take a moment to talk about the art. I'm a massive sucker for epic comic art, stemming from my love of Dave McKean's art for the Sandman series. Sana Takeda's art definitely crosses over into the manga style, which makes the art as a whole for this volume truly stand out. Every panel is so intricate, it's easy to get lost in the illustrations. I found myself continually flipping back to pages that stood out. Between the terrifying gods of the Old World (something the insane Lovecraft fan in me lets out an epic "squee" over) to the ridiculously adorable kitsune girl Kippa, the balance of the grisly violence and the tenderness in Maika's life before her capture, the intense feeling laden in the pages is spellbinding.

I mean, just look at this. It's gorgeous.

I came across the Kotaku article "Monstress Has the Best Cat in Comics Right Now" and I really have to agree. I don't encounter feline cohorts very often, in face the only that immediately come to mind are the Lying Cat from Saga and the post-apocalyptic cats from Legend. One thing that is fascinating about the way animals are handled in this series, is that cats are intelligent creatures, ones that speak and are viewed as diabolical saboteurs. Although, many of us cat owners will see this as not being too far off the mark from reality. There's a blur between humans and animals in this universe, and a definite caste system with Arcanics being hunted down and enslaved. I don't want to see this is an allegory to racism and inherit bigotry with real-world inspirations, but....

I've never seen a better depiction of cat behavior. (also- MY EMOTIONS)

Behold, my favorite line in volume one. 

To sum up, Lui and Takeda are an unstoppable powerhouse with this one. The story is dark, comple, and completely original. Image has some of the best comics on the modern day market as far as I'm concerned, between Monstress, Paper Girls, Sex Criminals, and of course the much beloved Saga. I think we're seeing something really special here, guys. And I for one am looking forward to it with all my Archanic heart.

Absence!

Apologies to the (maybe) six of you who read this blog that is still in its infancy. The past weekend was spent at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle! My bank account is in shock and I'm fairly certain I'll be exhausted for the next month or so, but this was certainly one for the books. (Ha. Get it?)

Certainly one of the highlights of the entire weekend was just HAPPENING to meet Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead while dressed as a character he created. NO BIG DEAL AND I WASN'T COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT OR ANYTHING. But seriously, that was a big moment. And he was totally cool, signed both my 100 issue of Walking Dead and my homemade Lucille. I'll count that as a fangirl success story. 

This is Rhianna Negan not freaking out. (But totally freaking out.)

My biggest purchases were a fat stack of graphic novels from the Image booth, ones I've been dying to read for the past few months. I know I said I would vary the types of books I spotlight to review, but these babies are just begging for attention so the next few posts will be graphic novels. I'm sorry if that's not your thing and I promise I'll get to more genres after that! 

I'll leave you with two of my favorite pictures from this weekend. The kid's dad actually said "Act like you're about to hit him with the bat!" Things only heard at comic con.

Anywho, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled program soon! Thank you for sticking with me through the unintended hiatus. Happy reading!

Spotlight Read: Legend: Defend the Grounds - Samuel Sattin

I'm trying to not chose titles that are all of similar genre, but I'm afraid these first few spotlight posts are going to do just that. I'm a huge fan of graphic novels that are a little off the wall. Wytches, The Arrival, I Kill Giants, anything that's more than just the run-of-the-mill superhero story. Not that those aren't awesome, I just enjoy something a little more in-depth and a little more, dare I say, weird. With Legend, the story is surrounding one-time pets, cats and dogs, that are now running in factions in a bleak, post-apocalyptic cityscape with just a few shades left of what was once humanity (pun intended).

The canine group, governed by blind Corgi Elder Willa (if that doesn't pique your interest, I have nothing to say to you), the felines being lead by Queen Bagheera. After the Dog Tribe leader was killed my a mysterious monster, Legend, an English Pointer, reluctantly steps up as the tribe's new leader. However, they cannot overcome the evil that lurks in the skeletal remains of their city on their own.

I mean, look at this. It's freaking gorgeous.

The fellow members of the dog tribe are skeptical as they follow Legend to the den of the cat clan, who have adopted and modified human technology to use as their own. The felines are a brutal, ruthless gang, with armor and weaponry akin to Mad Max.  The two factions do not trust each other, both claiming the other to be idiots and heathens. But in order to defeat the malevolent beings that plagues them both in this new world, they must overcome this obstacle and use their skills in a joint effort to save themselves and ensure their survival.

The Cats have hidden knowledge on the beasts that lurk in the shadows. 

This was an incredibly pleasant surprise. I managed to catch this on my Goodreads newsfeed from a reviewer I'm following and I had my own copy from my library system in my hands three days later. I'm honestly surprised there isn't more buzz about this story, seeing as its been out since November. In a world of numerous prequels, sequels, and retellings, seeing something that stands out as unique as this is a welcome curiosity. Sattin crafts a story that is equal parts intrigue, heartfelt, and character driven. The animals themselves have more characterization in just a few panels than most books can offer up in multiple chapters. I'm an animal lover, I will be the first to admit I will greet a dog before I will greet their human. The backstories on who they were before the human affected blight that rendered these housepets into nomads are heartbreaking; one such character refusing to take off their collar as it is a reminder of the life they had before. The cats go so far to say that there were never really ruled by humans not really. As the wait staff to two four legged felines, I can attest to the truth in this statement. The dogs are fiercely loyal to each other, and there's a very surprising element of camaraderie between two unlikely candidates, but I won't spoil that scene for you as it is a very touching story. And the art. Ugh, the art is absolutely stunning. The emotion Chris Koehler portrays in the animals' faces is so human but still manages to look authentic to the creature. There is a relatively limited color pallet, but when there's color, it is stunningly vivid and striking.

I will leave you with one of my favorite panels of the entire volume.

Overall, fans of things like Redwall, Watership Down, and even the Warriors/Survivors series by Erin Hunter (although this is much more intense than the latter and not recommended for younger readers.) will definitely enjoy this dystopian animal-centric story. Be forewarned however, there are animal deaths and a brief subplot about dog fighting that can be upsetting for readers, coming from someone who still hasn't, and will always refuse to, finish Old Yeller.