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books

Freakangels by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield

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Usually I’ll write my own plot synopsis for reviews, but the one on the back of the book for Warren Ellis’ and Paul Duffield’s comic book series Freakangels hits all the right notes, I think:

23 years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. 6 years ago, the world ended. This is the story of what happened next.

There’s more to it than this, of course. Those strange children-now-adults have dubbed themselves the freakangels, and they’ve settled in a flooded part of London called Whitechapel. Most of them are usually focused on protecting the survivors in Whitechapel – I say “most” and “usually” because they’re not always united in their goal. Complicating things is the fact that they had something to do with the cataclysm. Exactly what they did is revealed slowly, over the course of the story.

The main cast is huge, since Ellis and Duffield focus on each of the 12 freakangels at some point in the story. It’s quite a feat that each is distinct, then, and doesn’t become a caricature. None of them are your typical superheroes, though some of them are trying. I wouldn’t even say any of them are the Robert Downey, Jr. Iron Man-type superheroes: flawed, tortured, but still larger-than-life. Rather, these people seem very much “same size as life,” if you can say such a thing – they don’t have the witty comebacks all the time, they can be hurt (and not just in the final showdown), they deliberately make bad choices along with good ones, over and over. The knowledge that they’re somehow the cause of the suffering around them adds an important layer – and the way each freakangel deals with this knowledge is telling, too. The characters are just plain interesting, with complex relationships and personalities.

Part of what makes the series so good is the art by Duffield. I find that characters in a lot of comics – particularly those that have been ongoing for many years – blend together, even within single volumes. It forces the reader to rely on clothing choices or hairstyles to keep them straight. That’s not the case with Duffield’s illustrations, which are not only lovely, but also detail-rich and consistent from panel to panel. His characters are easily recognizable and diverse in appearance as well as personality. I also love the slightly muted color palette, which fits the mood of the story perfectly.

This is an adult comic with adult themes and language (frank talk of sex and lots of f-bombs), but I can certainly see it appealing to more mature teens. It feels like what a lot of the popular teen post-apocalyptic stories would be if the characters were 23 instead of 17. In fact, it could be described as an adult sequel to the YA story of what these people did as 17-year-olds. Because it’s a full story contained in six easy-to-digest volumes, it’s also a great series to hand to someone who may just be dipping their toes into comics. (No decades of background knowledge necessary!)

Freakangels is available in six print volumes, but it actually first appeared completely free and legal on the web: www.freakangels.com.

Our favorite books of 2013 & What we’re looking forward to in 2014

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Today we’re over at The Book Smugglers, taking part in their annual Smugglivus celebration. Both of us talk about our individual favorite reads in 2013, as well as the two books both of us loved this year. We also talked a little bit of television, movies, and what we’re really excited about reading and seeing in the new year.
Check it out. 
While you’re there, make sure you check out the rest of the awesome Smugglivus posts, too. It’s over a month long, so keep tuning in. I know my to-read list keeps expanding and expanding. 

November and December Debut YA Novels

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Since both November and December are quieter months when it comes to debut novels this year, rather than having two separate posts, I’d combine the two. This will be the last roundup of debut novels out in 2013, but you can catch up on previous posts by checking out October’s debut post and working backwards from there. 

Did you see this week’s announcement of the YALSA Morris contenders? Check out the 5 books honored on the short list. This is probably my favorite of the awards lists, as it rewards not just a well-done debut novel, but it looks at both appeal to readers and the potential for that author to continue producing excellent work in the future. 

As usual, if I’ve missed a traditionally-published debut novel that came out in November or will be coming out this month, let me know in the comments. All descriptions are from WorldCat, unless otherwise noted.

After Eden by Helen Douglas: Eden, sixteen, must choose between helping Ryan, a time-traveler, and her best friend Connor who, according to Ryan, is about to become famous through a significant scientific discovery that will, ultimately ruin the world.

Cracked by Eliza Crewe: Meet Meda. She eats people. Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she can’t help being a bad guy. She knows she’s different and the only other person who could have told her about other “soul-eaters” is now dead. That is, until the three men in suits show up. They can do what she can do. They’re like her. Meda might finally be able to figure out what she is and why the Hunger with her for souls is growing. The problem? They want to kill her.

Control by Lydia Kang: In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.

These Broken Stars by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: Two star-crossed lovers must fight for survival when they crash land on a seemingly uninhabited planet. Note that Kaufman is the debut author with this book, but Spooner debuted in August 2012 with Skylark. 

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine: Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who’s always done what she’s supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how. Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love. (via Goodreads)

Have you had any favorite debut novels this year? I’d love to know what you dug in the comments and what you’re looking forward to in 2014. 

Graphic Novel Roundup

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A few snappy reviews of some graphic novels I’ve read lately. Descriptions are from Worldcat, followed by my own observations.

Foiled and Curses! Foiled Again by Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro
Aliera is a star at fencing, but at school no one notices her–until her
new lab partner Avery begins flirting with her. Aliera’s mother just
bought her a foil from a garage sale, and it has a strange jewel
attached to the hilt. Will Aliera’s first date be ruined when magical
creatures try to steal her foil?

I wanted to love these books. I have fond memories of Jane Yolen’s novels from when I was a kid. Alas, these didn’t have the same magic. There’s a lot of telling, the pace is erratic, and the fantastical elements seem a bit jumbled. It should still be of interest to kids who like fencing (or are simply intrigued by it) – each section is headed with a fencing term and Aliera gets a lot of chances to use her weapon during the course of the story. (Cavallaro does an excellent job with the art; the writing doesn’t meet its quality.)

Sumo by Thien Pham
Scott, abandoned by his girlfriend and having lost his dream of playing
professional football, is offered a position in a Japanese sumo training
“stable,” where he seems to find himself again.

This is a short book that tells three parts of Scott’s story in alternating times, with a different color scheme for each time. Near the end, the switches between each of the three threads become more frequent, until they converge at a single point. At that point, the images and text parallel each other. The style is effective, though it doesn’t prevent the story from being a bit slight. It’s gorgeous to look at – the marriage of text and art is done very well. This is a good example of the format being right for the story.

Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell
In a fantastical 1860s England, every quiet little township is
terrorized by a ferocious monster–much to the townsfolk’s delight! Each
town’s unique monster is a source of local pride, not to mention
tourism. Each town, that is– except for one. Unfortunately, for the
people of Stoker-on-Avon, their monster isn’t quite as impressive. In
fact, he’s a little down in the dumps. Can the morose Rayburn get a
monstrous
makeover and become a proper horror? It’s up to the eccentric Dr.
Charles Wilkie and plucky street urchin Timothy to get him up to snuff,
before a greater threat turns the whole town to kindling.

I loved this one. It’s a light-hearted action-oriented story with a lot of humor and heart. The concept is clever and a little bit cute; I love how it’s unexpected, but also plays with the idea that humans (including kids) love to be scared sometimes. It reminded me a bit of a cross between Giants Beware and the movie Monsters Inc. It’s a beautiful production all around – lovely full-color art that demands to be pored over.

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and Benjamin Harper
Retold in graphic novel form, the narrator tells the reader about the murder he committed, and the terrifying aftermath.

I’m still not quite sure if this reproduces Poe’s text precisely or condenses it in some way, but the text itself isn’t the creepiest part of this adaptation. That honor belongs to the art. Though it isn’t quite my style, it does manage to convey a great mood. It’s got lots of shadows and a color palette consisting of mainly black and some blues. The eyes of both the narrator and his victim are particularly well-done (and integral to the story).

The To-Read Pile

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I have a little problem when it comes to my reading. I’m sure I’m not alone in it. I turn the last page on a book I thoroughly enjoyed and eagerly start my search for the next one. Except…I have a hard time finding just the right book for my mood at the time. I pick one up, set it down, pick up another. I scan the stacks at various places around the house, knowing that multiple books are calling my name, but unsure how to decide just which one is calling my name the loudest. Before I know it, I’ve spent an hour just wandering the house and haven’t read a thing.

I’m in one of those places right now. Below are a few of the books that I’m considering as my next read, but haven’t really dove into any of them yet. The first paragraphs are descriptions from Worldcat, and my own commentary follows in the second paragraphs.

Enders by Lissa Price
With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to
rent herself out to creepy Enders–but he can still get inside her mind
and make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Having the chip removed
could save Callie’s life — but it could also silence the voice in her
head that might belong to her father.

I dug Starters, and I hope that this sequel will prove to be just as fun as the first. I have to admit, I feel this one’s call a bit stronger than the others. (I loathe this cover, though. About the same amount I loathed the cover for the first. Sigh.)

Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
In an alternate United States where Day and Night populations are forced
to lead separate–but not equal–lives, a desperate Night girl falls
for a seemingly privileged Day boy and places them both in danger as she
gets caught up in the beginnings of a resistance movement.

I really liked Fama’s previous novel, Monstrous Beauty, a nicely written historical fantasy, and this (unrelated) book sounds intriguing. The concept sounds a little far-fetched (there’s no explanation given initially for the division between night and day), but I have faith the story will make me believe in it. (And as we’ve already discovered, it’s not hard for me to suspend my disbelief.)

Control by Lydia Kang

In 2150, when genetic manipulation has been outlawed,
seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help
of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.
 
The review copy states that Kang, a practicing physician, has “gained a reputation for helping other writers with medical accuracy in their own novels.” I’m interested to see how technical this book is and how much of it is based on actual science rather than, ahem, “science.”

The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Racing against time, Jonah and Emma, who possess unique magical gifts,
work to uncover the truth about Thorn Hill, a peaceful commune that the
Wizard Guild claims is a hotbed of underguild terrorists.

I’ve been meaning to read Chima’s fantasy novels for ages, but I’ve never managed to find the first in any of her series in at the library when I’ve remembered to look. This is the first in a duology related to the Heir Chronicles, but it’s supposed to function separately, so I figure it’s a good place to start.

Cress by Marissa Meyer
No Worldcat summary yet, but I can tell you this is the third book in Meyer’s series of futuristic fairy tale re-tellings. It’s based on Rapunzel and features a girl trapped on a satellite who’s become very good at hacking – and gets caught up in Cinder and Scarlet’s adventures, naturally.

Some slightly tepid reviews from a few acquaintances have me holding off on this one for a while. I know I’ll get around to it sooner rather than later, though.

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
Em must travel back in time to prevent a catastrophic time machine from
ever being invented, while Marina battles to prevent the murder of the
boy she loves.

I love time travel, but it can be difficult to do well. When plotted right, time travel can be some of the smartest storytelling around. Reviews from people I trust indicate that Terrill does it very well here.