Reviews

Blood Runs in the Family by Rich Burlew

stenaros's review

3.0

We rejoin our stick-figure team of D&D-style fighters bent on saving everyone from the potential end of the world. Complications ensue, puns fly, and there is much humor and drama, including some worrisome parts. I look forward to more of Mr. Burlew's creations as the story continues.

figmentlady's review

5.0

The latest edition to the Order of the Stick graphic novels takes the party into the city of Bloodletting, where the bard, Elan, finds his missing father has become the ruling tyrant. As Elan is attempting to deal with the information that his father has an evil alignment, his twin brother returns to once more attempt to kill Elan. During all of this, Roy is still trying to lead the adventuring party into the desert where they must try to stop the Snarl from breaking loose from its prison and destroying the world. When the party's cleric is turned into a vampire and the wizard disappears into an angst-ridden imposed solitude after learning that she may have accidentally killed off a large population of the world with a Famillicide spell, the leader begins to feel the quest is hopeless. In a twist, the chaotic evil raging halfling actually pulls the party together when it's at its weakest and they strive on toward their final goal. Anyone who has played and loved Dungeons and Dragons would enjoy this humorous graphic novel series.

simsian's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

literarydragons's review against another edition

5.0

I have read this whole series more times than I can count, and it never disappoints. This book especially is just wonderful. Very funny, very moving. And the commentaries from the author are also great. I have learned so much about crafting a story from reading about his thought process.

ruzgofdi's review

2.0

Not a great sign when what should be the next step of an ongoing quest feels like a side mission.

It was during the run that this book collects that I stopped reading the webcomic. Having finished the book, I can't really point at any one thing that drove me away. Maybe it was the three month period where the creator was recuperating from an unexpected injury. Maybe it was a slight shift in tone towards being more serious in parts. Maybe it was the reason I gave at the top of this review. You sometimes hear about DMs that railroad their players to keep them on task for the adventure. This sometimes felt like the players were being railroaded into meeting some interesting new npcs the DM had come up with.

Still, when I got past the section I had previously read (which was larger than I thought it was going to be), there were some jokes that got me to laugh out loud. I don't know if I'll go back and get caught up on the strips that have come out between the end of this book and now, but I'll probably keep an eye out for the next collection.

eafiu's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25