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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is more about Darius then Laia but my girl is scenes steeler.
This is more about Darius then Laia but my girl is scenes steeler.
dembury's review
2.0
Although "Spark" is better than the other graphic novel in this prequel series, it still just kind of fades away in the mind even as I'm reading it. I was reminded recently at a book event that Sabaa Tahir didn't write the dialogue herself; although she provided the general outline of events, she didn't write this, and honestly? It shows. It's just missing that Tahir pizzazz! The characters lack depth and vigor- I only connected to them at all because I've read (and adore) the Ember quartet and wanted to know more about their past. It's not ~badly~ written, it's just very noticeably NOT Tahir, and that makes me sad.
The artwork is pretty enough, and the colors and scenery are quite immersive! There were also a few odd little details that kinda felt out of place (like the Ikea-looking shoerack inside Nan and Pop's front door?).
The thing is: this just doesn't feel like it adds anything to the "Ember" world. Sure, we get to see Laia and Darin again, and we get teeny tiny LITTLE drops of info we maybe didn't know (or did we?), but there's just nothing to it. I basically read this and thought, "Oh. Okay." which is a HUGE difference from the other "Ember" books I read where I finished and was either a) sobbing, or b) finding myself spiraling into an existential crisis because the book was THAT GOOD.
I'm a diehard Tahir fan, and will read anything she puts out...but maybe in the future I'll just skip these graphic novels and stick to the work she's been fully involved in.
The artwork is pretty enough, and the colors and scenery are quite immersive! There were also a few odd little details that kinda felt out of place (like the Ikea-looking shoerack inside Nan and Pop's front door?).
The thing is: this just doesn't feel like it adds anything to the "Ember" world. Sure, we get to see Laia and Darin again, and we get teeny tiny LITTLE drops of info we maybe didn't know (or did we?), but there's just nothing to it. I basically read this and thought, "Oh. Okay." which is a HUGE difference from the other "Ember" books I read where I finished and was either a) sobbing, or b) finding myself spiraling into an existential crisis because the book was THAT GOOD.
I'm a diehard Tahir fan, and will read anything she puts out...but maybe in the future I'll just skip these graphic novels and stick to the work she's been fully involved in.
motui's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katrina_ingram's review against another edition
Dnfed this nearly halfway through. As much as I loved the main series i’m just not keen on the illustration style. I tried to push through as I wanted these prequel stories and those are really interesting, so good book just not the right style for me
nicolesbookcase's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved getting a glimpse into younger Laia and Darren and a bit more of the backstory into how Darren came to be Teluman's apprentice. The story felt very on brand for an Ember in the Ashes story and fit in very well with what we know from the main novels. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful; I loved the depictions of the different quarters of the city. I really appreciated the character development Laia had throughout this story and can definitely see how it contributed to her character in the first novel.
This is definitely a story that has to be read AFTER reading at least the first book in the Ember in the Ashes series, otherwise it will not make any sense. The worldbuilding of the first main novel needs to be set up before reading this graphic novel series.
This is definitely a story that has to be read AFTER reading at least the first book in the Ember in the Ashes series, otherwise it will not make any sense. The worldbuilding of the first main novel needs to be set up before reading this graphic novel series.
rramzan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this prequel novel, which is a welcome addition to the AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series. The story followed both Laia and Darin as they began the paths that led to EMBER.
Laia was struggling with her anxieties for most of the story as she worked to become a successful healer. Darin's impulsiveness eventually led him to Spiro and the bond that began there. Both stories were interesting from different ways, yet I found Darin to be the more compelling of the two.
The art style is fun and the colors really pop on the page. The dialogue is good and like most graphic novels, it's a fairly quick read.
Definitely recommended for fans of the EMBER series who are looking for familiar faces and a little extra adventure.
Laia was struggling with her anxieties for most of the story as she worked to become a successful healer. Darin's impulsiveness eventually led him to Spiro and the bond that began there. Both stories were interesting from different ways, yet I found Darin to be the more compelling of the two.
The art style is fun and the colors really pop on the page. The dialogue is good and like most graphic novels, it's a fairly quick read.
Definitely recommended for fans of the EMBER series who are looking for familiar faces and a little extra adventure.
jberryedits's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0