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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Well, how could I resist it when the blurb describes it as Lovecraft x Gravity Falls. :P I adore Gravity Falls (already rewatched it 3 times), so I just had to read this book!
It was quite good in the end, but I still had a few things I didn't like which made it at times a bit hard to get through this book.
Since I am a bit tired (just woke up), I will put this in a good/bad list.
First up the not so goods/bads:
Some of the characters for instance (like the sister). The sister was truly annoying me to no end. I get she is a kid. But really? I just wanted to have her leave. The way she kept intruding on them, how she pestered her brother, how apparently nothing could faze her (and sometimes this kind of trait is nice, but in her it was just meh).
Then there was the art. At times it was really lovely, but at other time it was so-so, and often felt like someone rushed through it to get stuff done in time. It is just a shame, since it really had potential to become quite beautiful. Also what is up with the MC's hair?
I absolutely dislike this kind of thing. That cliffhanger near the end. If we had any indication that there will be more Alabaster Shadows books/issues, I wouldn't have minded it so much (still would have minded it a bit though), but I can't find much information on if there are new issues/books.
Also how no one else but these kids (and a few adults) seem to see those things or know about it. It is a common trope within this genre/this kind of book, but I would rather see it not happen. I wouldn't mind if everyone just knew about it. Or actually believed stuff when told about it.
Now for the goods:
The story was great, unlike a lot of Graphic Novels/Comics this one actually had a story that just started at the beginning. I have read quite a few that just throw you in the middle of everything, or that suddenly rush. This one didn't. It took things slowly, it explained quite a few things, plus something that I also love, is that we, just like the MC and his friends, have no clue what is happening, and we can help them find out, we explore just when they do. We find out things when or just before they do.
There was a big creepfactor to the book (not only because of the creepiness that settled in that town, but also thanks to characters (those two ladies *shivers*). The monsters were properly monsters.
The mystery was really good, and I can't wait to find out more about the world, how it works, the dreams, and the messages that people who got zapped (I would call it that) are telling on constant loop.
Then there is a strong MC who kicks some butt and isn't afraid to save people even when it gets hairy.
I had quite a laugh, that I apparently read over something that made me miss the fact that one of the characters was a girl. :P That was quite a surprise when I found out she was a girl.
So all in all, I quite enjoyed myself, and I still will read this series if there is ever an update because I just need to know how it all ends.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
It was quite good in the end, but I still had a few things I didn't like which made it at times a bit hard to get through this book.
Since I am a bit tired (just woke up), I will put this in a good/bad list.
First up the not so goods/bads:
Some of the characters for instance (like the sister). The sister was truly annoying me to no end. I get she is a kid. But really? I just wanted to have her leave. The way she kept intruding on them, how she pestered her brother, how apparently nothing could faze her (and sometimes this kind of trait is nice, but in her it was just meh).
Then there was the art. At times it was really lovely, but at other time it was so-so, and often felt like someone rushed through it to get stuff done in time. It is just a shame, since it really had potential to become quite beautiful. Also what is up with the MC's hair?
I absolutely dislike this kind of thing. That cliffhanger near the end. If we had any indication that there will be more Alabaster Shadows books/issues, I wouldn't have minded it so much (still would have minded it a bit though), but I can't find much information on if there are new issues/books.
Also how no one else but these kids (and a few adults) seem to see those things or know about it. It is a common trope within this genre/this kind of book, but I would rather see it not happen. I wouldn't mind if everyone just knew about it. Or actually believed stuff when told about it.
Now for the goods:
The story was great, unlike a lot of Graphic Novels/Comics this one actually had a story that just started at the beginning. I have read quite a few that just throw you in the middle of everything, or that suddenly rush. This one didn't. It took things slowly, it explained quite a few things, plus something that I also love, is that we, just like the MC and his friends, have no clue what is happening, and we can help them find out, we explore just when they do. We find out things when or just before they do.
There was a big creepfactor to the book (not only because of the creepiness that settled in that town, but also thanks to characters (those two ladies *shivers*). The monsters were properly monsters.
The mystery was really good, and I can't wait to find out more about the world, how it works, the dreams, and the messages that people who got zapped (I would call it that) are telling on constant loop.
Then there is a strong MC who kicks some butt and isn't afraid to save people even when it gets hairy.
I had quite a laugh, that I apparently read over something that made me miss the fact that one of the characters was a girl. :P That was quite a surprise when I found out she was a girl.
So all in all, I quite enjoyed myself, and I still will read this series if there is ever an update because I just need to know how it all ends.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
2.0
This was just ok for me. I didn't really like the art style (a bit too sketch-y looking for my tastes) and I thought the story was pretty good, just a lot like other books I've read before. So for me, not really a winner but I can definitely see kids getting sucked into this series.
suspiciouspinecone's review against another edition
3.0
The art in this series was unpleasant and looked messy. The characters were boring and, honestly, really annoying, especially Warren (and I usually like characters like Warren). The plot was cool though, and the eldritch abominations were fun.
CW: eldritch abominations, madness
CW: eldritch abominations, madness
suzannedix's review against another edition
5.0
Highly entertaining and just that perfect amount of horror suitable for middle grades, Alabaster Shadows is a new graphic novel with a plucky cast of characters. Carter Normandy and his younger sister Polly move to a new development called Alabaster Shadows and start at a new school. Things appear a bit odd in this new town; houses all look the same, some adults, like mean Miss Crowe, clearly despise children and Carter’s house seems to have a leak in the cellar that is suspiciously just pouring from mid-air. Carter discounts it all as simply weird until he meets some friends who verify that Alabaster Shadows has something strange going on. The kids quickly realize that they have to solve the mystery of why some adults seem to be zombie-like before the same thing can happen to their parents. Great dialogue and humor ensues between this new group of heroes and they face-off against Miss Crowe and her giant slug monster. Readers will be satisfied by the ending and eager to have the story continue on in further novels. Full-color graphics will also make this a very easy sell for even reluctant readers.
Recommended grades 6 and up.
Recommended grades 6 and up.
theybedax's review against another edition
3.0
Fun! This is a great book for anyone looking for fast new friendships being tested by Lovecraftian like monsters/worse the humans who try to control them!
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty decent graphic for younger readers. It's definitely the first book in a series and there's a fair amount of set-up and there are times that I think that the narrative could be a little more clear. That said, it is a fairly self-contained story (i.e. there is some resolution) that also leaves a lot of room to build on. I quite like the art, drawn by Rashad Doucet and the diversity of the central characters was really nice to see. It should fit nicely on a lot of shelves.
alexture's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
poopoopeepeeman's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
glitterandtwang's review against another edition
4.0
The art and plot here were great, especially the monster designs. I'm still not quite sure who the intended audience is, but that didn't detract too much from my enjoyment.
heypretty52's review against another edition
4.0
Man- 10 year old me would have been in love with this 😊