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leighsnerdlife's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annarella's review
4.0
I'm a fan of the Sandman and was very happy to get this ARC.
The drawings are amazing and baroque, the plot is well written even if it's not always easy to follow.
It's quite different from the original series but a very good one.
I want to buy the hardcover because I simply adored the drawings.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The drawings are amazing and baroque, the plot is well written even if it's not always easy to follow.
It's quite different from the original series but a very good one.
I want to buy the hardcover because I simply adored the drawings.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
ruthsic's review
4.0
Warnings: mentions (and visual depiction) of lynching and slavery, physical violence, xenophobia and allusions to the migrant crisis, some nudity
I'll admit, I didn't have any ideas about the set-up of the Sandman universe (besides knowing of its existence) before going into this book, but since these are new stories set in it, I thought to give it a chance to see how it fares for a person who is coming to this universe for the first time. The story opens on the librarian (and current warden) of Dreaming, Lucien, who is trying to keep things running in absence of their lord. The first chapter had introductions to the three other stories, and then continues with the plot in Dreaming, which is starting to show literal cracks and the rise of a new power. The instability brought about by the changes in their world prompts some to look for direction in new places, with disastrous results. A tyrant rises to claim the throne of Dreaming for himself, and to torment its people, while also being self-righteous about it. Meanwhile, Dora, a mysterious goddess of a being, is lost without her memories, and rebels against the rules of Dreaming, until the time comes for her to save it.
Does the series make sense for someone who is not acquainted with the universe? Yes and no. There are some things that take a while to sink in, but the book does try to keep you informed of the backstory relevant to the current plotline so it doesn't always feel like you are missing things. Sure, I am curious about certain other things, but I guess I can always go to the source and read them (maybe someday). As a new series in an established universe, it does a good job of not alienating new readers. As for the artwork in this book, it is vibrant and beautiful and does a great job of depicting the changing circumstances of Dreaming into the design and coloring itself. I must admit, though, that the couple of pages that were done by another artist and shoved in between felt a bit odd, especially because they made no narrative sense and the style was entirely different in design.
Verdict: it is a series that I'm excited to read more of.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Vertigo, via Netgalley.
I'll admit, I didn't have any ideas about the set-up of the Sandman universe (besides knowing of its existence) before going into this book, but since these are new stories set in it, I thought to give it a chance to see how it fares for a person who is coming to this universe for the first time. The story opens on the librarian (and current warden) of Dreaming, Lucien, who is trying to keep things running in absence of their lord. The first chapter had introductions to the three other stories, and then continues with the plot in Dreaming, which is starting to show literal cracks and the rise of a new power. The instability brought about by the changes in their world prompts some to look for direction in new places, with disastrous results. A tyrant rises to claim the throne of Dreaming for himself, and to torment its people, while also being self-righteous about it. Meanwhile, Dora, a mysterious goddess of a being, is lost without her memories, and rebels against the rules of Dreaming, until the time comes for her to save it.
Does the series make sense for someone who is not acquainted with the universe? Yes and no. There are some things that take a while to sink in, but the book does try to keep you informed of the backstory relevant to the current plotline so it doesn't always feel like you are missing things. Sure, I am curious about certain other things, but I guess I can always go to the source and read them (maybe someday). As a new series in an established universe, it does a good job of not alienating new readers. As for the artwork in this book, it is vibrant and beautiful and does a great job of depicting the changing circumstances of Dreaming into the design and coloring itself. I must admit, though, that the couple of pages that were done by another artist and shoved in between felt a bit odd, especially because they made no narrative sense and the style was entirely different in design.
Verdict: it is a series that I'm excited to read more of.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Vertigo, via Netgalley.
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