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niloc21's review against another edition
2.5
Very much meh. The art for chapter 1 and 4 was great and was good in general. Couple good moments her and there but was way too confusing and just not for me
amelierawr's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jamsin_1's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
vadersvalkyrie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Normally a Gaiman-groupie, but this was not the "superior Harry Potter" it was billed as. It has parallels but isn't a substitute.
nkives's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't pay attention to the years this was originally published but being in the process of re-reading Sandman, and noticed a lot of cross over in story and characters used. Especially of the Baba Yaga character which was in the Sandman volume I finished just 3 days ago. It got me interested and realized this was written sometime in the middle of him writing Sandman.
Still a good book that introduces a new magic based character for DC comics, and I didn't really know who he was until recently when 11 years after (a few years after he was introduced he got his own series for a few years at Vertigo) he was introduced by Gaiman, he was used in the current Justice League Dark series (Justice League for magic characters). 4 part story each showing Tim a different section of the Magic worlds and beginning guided by a different character for each chapter. For example John Constantine (Hellblazer), and The Phantom Stranger.
Only real problem was the last book tended to drag on way to much in the end. You kind of know what is about to happen and are just waiting while it gets dragged out by other nonsenses.
Still a good book that introduces a new magic based character for DC comics, and I didn't really know who he was until recently when 11 years after (a few years after he was introduced he got his own series for a few years at Vertigo) he was introduced by Gaiman, he was used in the current Justice League Dark series (Justice League for magic characters). 4 part story each showing Tim a different section of the Magic worlds and beginning guided by a different character for each chapter. For example John Constantine (Hellblazer), and The Phantom Stranger.
Only real problem was the last book tended to drag on way to much in the end. You kind of know what is about to happen and are just waiting while it gets dragged out by other nonsenses.
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
For a Neil Gaiman book, the plot of The Books of Magic is relatively simple tale. It tells of a boy's journey through the past, the present reality, fantasyland, and the future to learn about magic's promise and consequences so that he can choose whether or not he wants to embrace his magical potential, and the risk that comes with it, or live a safer life without magic. Yet, as with Gaiman's other works, there are so many more layers to the story, including the undeniable promise and potential of imagination; the fact that the righteous don't always "win"; and the idea that for creation to have any meaning, opposites must coexist since, as paraphrased from Books of Magic, everyday life exists in the line between order and chaos. The four illustrators (one for each "book") do a wondrous job, as usual, with Gaiman's work.
I liked this book, but didn't love it, but that doesn't mean that it's not a worthwhile read. My only concern would be that there are enough allusions to Sandman, DC comics and mythology that this might confuse or even frustrate readers who aren't familiar with them.
I liked this book, but didn't love it, but that doesn't mean that it's not a worthwhile read. My only concern would be that there are enough allusions to Sandman, DC comics and mythology that this might confuse or even frustrate readers who aren't familiar with them.
ladykaylee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There's a meme going around that says something along the lines of "If you don't want to support J. K. Rowling because she's a TERF, try this book about a magical kid with his pet owl!" I had read this book back in middle or high school; I remember borrowing my aunt's copy when I was staying with my grandparents. I remembered enjoying it, but I didn't remember much of the plot. I would not call this a Harry Potter substitute by any stretch of the imagination. This is only sort of a standalone graphic novel. There are a lot of characters from the greater world of DC comics, including Neil Gaiman's other graphic novel series: Sandman. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had a greater background knowledge of the world(s) in which this book was set.
iggnaseous's review against another edition
3.0
An introduction to Gaiman's metaphysics. Intriguing.
flyintothestorm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
fahad's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome writing, great artwork. Another experience in comics altogether.