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dembury's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5
Ahh the watercolors in here were so pretty! I really loved Novgorodoff's use of color to portray emotion and the different times of day. I didn't really like how the characters were drawn, but I think the landscapes and buildings balanced out the slightly Burton-esque characters.
There were a couple parts of the story that I thought dragged a bit (like the monks temple) but overall, it was a very entertaining tale. I really enjoyed the folklore-feel of the story. It was very atmospheric! I've never read anything quite like it, but would definitely read more!
Ahh the watercolors in here were so pretty! I really loved Novgorodoff's use of color to portray emotion and the different times of day. I didn't really like how the characters were drawn, but I think the landscapes and buildings balanced out the slightly Burton-esque characters.
There were a couple parts of the story that I thought dragged a bit (like the monks temple) but overall, it was a very entertaining tale. I really enjoyed the folklore-feel of the story. It was very atmospheric! I've never read anything quite like it, but would definitely read more!
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
I think my expectations were too high for this one. I read a description of it months ago, but for whatever reason decided not to buy it. (I think it may have been ridiculously expensive compared to the other books I was considering) Anyway, I was still thinking of it months later and telling everyone about its super odd and morbid plot, so I finally broke down and bought it. After thinking about it for so many months I kind of already drew up the story in my head and the actual book didn't live up to my imagination!
rollforlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the premise of this book and enjoyed it well enough though it didn't turn out to be what I expected. Not really my usual taste in Graphic Novels but worth the time to read all the same.
I liked that the characters had depth and none were portrayed as being morally perfect. Certain points of the story were a bit predictable but the whole story came together well.
I liked that the characters had depth and none were portrayed as being morally perfect. Certain points of the story were a bit predictable but the whole story came together well.
badpriestess's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't finish. Sounds harsh, but I found the art horrible and grotesque, especially the character art. It distracted from the story.
billywraithcyrus's review against another edition
3.0
The redeeming three-star review is based solely on the art in this book. I thought it was really stunning as I perpetually mesmerized that anybody can actually make watercolors do what they want them to do.
That said, I thought the story was bland. As others have said on here, there was next to no character depth thought this 430-page story. And as much as I liked the art, it was no substitute for actual storytelling. And the moment when Deshi and Lily have sex by the campfire was more disturbing than touching (way more disturbing). Like, that whole thing started because he snuck up on her to strangle her. What the fuck.
Finally, I don't really know why this took place in China. Yes, it seems that the creator of this graphic novel read an article in Forbes about a phenomenon of using dead women's bodies as corpse brides in China, but... without having any clear connection herself to cultures in China, I'm left wondering why this was set in China. The imagination exists with no boundary, so wouldn't it have been more creative to take this element and place it in a created fantasy world where this is a practice and where you can better build that world rather than forcing it into a region of China where Novgorodoff makes a pretty preventable mistake of trying to guess what the culture is like - a culture that, it's worth noting, the Novgorodoff has no connection to.
That said, I thought the story was bland. As others have said on here, there was next to no character depth thought this 430-page story. And as much as I liked the art, it was no substitute for actual storytelling. And the moment when Deshi and Lily have sex by the campfire was more disturbing than touching (way more disturbing). Like, that whole thing started because he snuck up on her to strangle her. What the fuck.
Finally, I don't really know why this took place in China. Yes, it seems that the creator of this graphic novel read an article in Forbes about a phenomenon of using dead women's bodies as corpse brides in China, but... without having any clear connection herself to cultures in China, I'm left wondering why this was set in China. The imagination exists with no boundary, so wouldn't it have been more creative to take this element and place it in a created fantasy world where this is a practice and where you can better build that world rather than forcing it into a region of China where Novgorodoff makes a pretty preventable mistake of trying to guess what the culture is like - a culture that, it's worth noting, the Novgorodoff has no connection to.
emilcha's review against another edition
3.0
This book has beautiful art. It moved quickly. The story was relatively simple, but I wanted to get to the end to see how it ended. Enjoyable.
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited to read this after learning it was about ghost marriage, which I learned about after watching Ask A Mortician's video on ghost marriage. I was felt disappointed at the end. The beginning started out fine, where his brother died and needed a bride to keep him company in the afterlife. The brother, who is not the family's favorite, must bring him a corpse or be the shame of the family. I couldn't connect to the characters and just ended up bored because I knew what the ending would be. I really wished they had more discussions or learning about the culture of ghost marriage. The characters I really don't think they will last as a couple very long because they never seemed to get along or really connect with each other. The backgrounds and the watercolors are really beautiful, unfortunately the art style for the humans isn't as great and really pulls you away from the strong water color illustrations. This was a pretty quick read that if you are interested in ghost marriage would be worth checking out. ~Ashley
kchaplin's review against another edition
3.0
Quite a wild adventure involving corpse brides, Chinese culture, and multifaceted human nature.
I did think that the dialogue was a little too alike in parts, but the story was enticing and the journey kept me reading, and also wondering "what in the heck is going to happen next".
A beautiful style of art that was fresh and was also true to the story.
I did think that the dialogue was a little too alike in parts, but the story was enticing and the journey kept me reading, and also wondering "what in the heck is going to happen next".
A beautiful style of art that was fresh and was also true to the story.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderful pictures, weird story. A Chinese second son must find a bride/body for his older brother to be buried with so he has a companion in the afterlife.
The characters in the story are all horrible in some way, even the main characters are not sympathetic. But, the color and line is great.
The characters in the story are all horrible in some way, even the main characters are not sympathetic. But, the color and line is great.