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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
I have heard such good things about this series and enjoyed Brian K. Vaughan's writing in the past, so I think that my expectations might have been slightly too high. While I enjoyed the story, I didn't feel any connection or concern about the characters. While there should be a strong narrative to the plot, it felt like it meandered off course to the point where it feels like it loses all of it's drive.
The main characters are Alana and Marko, as well as their newborn daughter, Hope, but we never really get to know them or where they come from. They loved each other enough to defy their own cultures, yet barely seemed to communicate. They seem to be learning each other's history at the same time we do, leaving me to wonder what they talked about during the time before Hope was born. There were bounty hunters, princes and all sorts of other characters, yet they seemed to be little more than pieces moving around the board for a game where the rules are never explained.
Some of this is the problem with sequential storytelling - you want to give people enough of a hook to start them off, but leave the big stuff for later in the run. Unfortunately, with the number of comics and books I'm trying to follow, this just wasn't capable of grabbing me.
The main characters are Alana and Marko, as well as their newborn daughter, Hope, but we never really get to know them or where they come from. They loved each other enough to defy their own cultures, yet barely seemed to communicate. They seem to be learning each other's history at the same time we do, leaving me to wonder what they talked about during the time before Hope was born. There were bounty hunters, princes and all sorts of other characters, yet they seemed to be little more than pieces moving around the board for a game where the rules are never explained.
Some of this is the problem with sequential storytelling - you want to give people enough of a hook to start them off, but leave the big stuff for later in the run. Unfortunately, with the number of comics and books I'm trying to follow, this just wasn't capable of grabbing me.
CWs: explicit nudity and sex, gore, fantasy racism, a plotline about saving a 6year old, who has been sold into prostitution.
Yesterday I was organising my books and when I noticed my old Saga volumes I just couldn't help but give them a reread. It was such a pleasant experience to be back into the world of the story and finding that it felt just as fresh and immersing as when I started reading years ago. The story, characters and setting are fun and vibrant but the themes don't shy away from dark themes and ideas.
Yesterday I was organising my books and when I noticed my old Saga volumes I just couldn't help but give them a reread. It was such a pleasant experience to be back into the world of the story and finding that it felt just as fresh and immersing as when I started reading years ago. The story, characters and setting are fun and vibrant but the themes don't shy away from dark themes and ideas.
NoveList Appeal Terms:
Genre: Comics and Graphic novels; Science fiction comics; Space opera
Character: Courageous; Flawed; Large cast of characters
Storyline: Intricately plotted; Sweeping
Pace: Fast-paced
Tone: Dramatic; Moving
Writing Style: Compelling; Well-crafted dialogue; Witty
Genre: Comics and Graphic novels; Science fiction comics; Space opera
Character: Courageous; Flawed; Large cast of characters
Storyline: Intricately plotted; Sweeping
Pace: Fast-paced
Tone: Dramatic; Moving
Writing Style: Compelling; Well-crafted dialogue; Witty
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5*
Literally the weirdest comic I've ever read... but it was still so good?!
Literally the weirdest comic I've ever read... but it was still so good?!
Eh?? I didn't feel strongly toward this one at all.
Super fun beginning to what I'm sure is a great story. Beautifully illustrated, as well
This is the first graphic novel I suggest to anyone looking to read a new graphic novel. Saga is one of those stories that has changed my experience of life. Truly a beautiful story and characters I'll love forever.
Finally, finally I’m reviewing Saga. I could not read this trade fast enough. It was basically all of my favorite things rolled into one: an exciting space opera, a tale of two lovers defying political and social odds, aliens and mystical creatures, multiple storylines, beautiful art, I could go on and on. If you’re a sci fi fan and aren’t adverse to some sexually explicit imagery, read Saga.
Things I Liked
1. Characters: The characters of Saga, in my opinion, are what make this story really memorable. We’ve got Alana and Marko, star-crossed lovers who bring a child into a universe torn apart by war. We’ve also got characters like Prince Robot IV, who hunts them, but is rather sympathetic with his weariness of war. Bounty hunters The Will and The Stalk are also around, and their story is just getting started. By far, my favorites are Izabel and Lying Cat, the former being a ghost and the latter being a large cat that detects when someone isn’t telling the truth. With characters such as these, what could be a run-of-the-mill political space opera about two people who fall in love becomes rather an exciting narrative about a whole host of characters.
2. Pace: Saga moves briskly, but not so briskly that readers miss out on what’s going on. The story is rather deliberately told without bogging the reader down, and on top of that, there are multiple storylines to fill in gaps where there would otherwise be rather slow moments.
3. Art: Fiona Staples’ art is phenomenal. Her depictions of multiple alien races, planets, and objects such as a wooden spaceship are breathtaking and really enhance the feeling of otherworldliness in the story. Everything also looks very organic, so there aren’t a whole lot of mechanical objects, even when it comes to spaceships and the bodies of certain characters. Everything feels like it belongs in the same universe, and visually, it’s a delight to see.
4. Narrative: I’m very glad that this story didn’t start with the beginning of Alana and Marko’s relationship. Those stories are prevalent enough already where I feel like they’d bog down the reader if told again. Instead, this comic is about the aftermath of the birth of Hazel, and though it’s a chase/pursuit narrative at its core (which I normally don’t enjoy), there’s enough going on between the characters and between multiple storylines that I felt engaged with the story.
Things I Didn’t Like
I honestly can’t think of anything - this comic is just getting started and there’s so much more awesome to come.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in space operas, fictional worlds and races, war, interplanetary conflict, star-crossed lovers, bounty hunters, and chase/pursuit narratives.
Things I Liked
1. Characters: The characters of Saga, in my opinion, are what make this story really memorable. We’ve got Alana and Marko, star-crossed lovers who bring a child into a universe torn apart by war. We’ve also got characters like Prince Robot IV, who hunts them, but is rather sympathetic with his weariness of war. Bounty hunters The Will and The Stalk are also around, and their story is just getting started. By far, my favorites are Izabel and Lying Cat, the former being a ghost and the latter being a large cat that detects when someone isn’t telling the truth. With characters such as these, what could be a run-of-the-mill political space opera about two people who fall in love becomes rather an exciting narrative about a whole host of characters.
2. Pace: Saga moves briskly, but not so briskly that readers miss out on what’s going on. The story is rather deliberately told without bogging the reader down, and on top of that, there are multiple storylines to fill in gaps where there would otherwise be rather slow moments.
3. Art: Fiona Staples’ art is phenomenal. Her depictions of multiple alien races, planets, and objects such as a wooden spaceship are breathtaking and really enhance the feeling of otherworldliness in the story. Everything also looks very organic, so there aren’t a whole lot of mechanical objects, even when it comes to spaceships and the bodies of certain characters. Everything feels like it belongs in the same universe, and visually, it’s a delight to see.
4. Narrative: I’m very glad that this story didn’t start with the beginning of Alana and Marko’s relationship. Those stories are prevalent enough already where I feel like they’d bog down the reader if told again. Instead, this comic is about the aftermath of the birth of Hazel, and though it’s a chase/pursuit narrative at its core (which I normally don’t enjoy), there’s enough going on between the characters and between multiple storylines that I felt engaged with the story.
Things I Didn’t Like
I honestly can’t think of anything - this comic is just getting started and there’s so much more awesome to come.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in space operas, fictional worlds and races, war, interplanetary conflict, star-crossed lovers, bounty hunters, and chase/pursuit narratives.