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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
The art is stunning and I can't wait to keep reading. The magic system needs to be explained more because right now it feels a bit lazy but I'm hoping that we'll get more in the next volume. I think it was a great set up volume because we're really just as lost as our main character, Nina. She has no idea what's going on, things are confusing, things she believed were true her whole life turn out to not be true, her whole world has turned upside down and the feeling of this volume gives you with the level of confusion really pulled me in.
Writing:3/5
Plot:3.5/5
Art:5/5
The writing was really choppy at times, especially in the middle issues. Plot was engaging enough but a. Bit confusing and jumbled in the middle. The artwork, though, was incredible. I would read 10 more volumes for the art alone. Just stunning.
Plot:3.5/5
Art:5/5
The writing was really choppy at times, especially in the middle issues. Plot was engaging enough but a. Bit confusing and jumbled in the middle. The artwork, though, was incredible. I would read 10 more volumes for the art alone. Just stunning.
I think this is more like a 2.5 for me. I had a hard time getting the plot twists. They just didn't make sense and maybe with the next installment it will make more sense. I don't know. The relationship between Nina and her family is kind of.... Emotional abuse. Yep there is no other way of putting it. Emotional abuse. And the connection between Carter and Nina wasn't really believable. The blurbs had a word bolded in every sentence which was a weird choice. The continuous internal monologue was distracting and sometimes unnecessary. I think I would continue with the next installment purely because my interest was more piqued by the last five pages... PS the art was phenomenal. So 10 stars for that.
I don’t know why I thought this was part of the Marvel Universe before I picked it up but I did. First off the art and color work are amazing! It's so beautifully done I would take almost any picture and hang it on my wall. Especially the chapter markers. The Story is a bit convoluted. It’s hard to follow and even when you get the gist of what is happening, it still does not make full sense. I liked it enough to pick up the next issue and see what happens, but I reserve further judgement. I liked the first half and the last half felt like a let down, which is why I think I need more of the story.
#LMPBC #Round7
#LitsyAtoZGN
#ReadHarder #NaturalDisaster
#Booked2020 #setinHollywood
#ReadwithMrBook #jan
#BeatheBacklist #songtitle
#LMPBC #Round7
#LitsyAtoZGN
#ReadHarder #NaturalDisaster
#Booked2020 #setinHollywood
#ReadwithMrBook #jan
#BeatheBacklist #songtitle
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An unexpected new favourite
Lovely art, story is a bit skimpy but a nice easy read that was very easy on the eyes.
More like 3.5 Stars.
I've followed Jen Bartel, Blackbird's artist, for a couple years now. I love her style. So I've known about this title for a while, but didn't decide to pick it up til today. The main thing holding me back was that I wasn't really sold on the plot from the glimpses I saw. Plus, I've never done the single-comic-issue thing before--I've only done manga and webtoons, not western comics--so maybe I also felt a little intimidated hunting issues down. When I saw today that this collected volume was out, I knew it was time.
Reading it, my misgivings about the plot kinda felt justified. I can't imagine reading this issue by issue. There's nothing but questions, and no answers until the fifth or sixth issue. I'm pretty impatient with plot progression, so I feel like I would have dropped this series if I was trying to grab the issues in real time. There is definitely a lot of potential for some great stuff, but damn everyone feels so secretive for mostly dramatic effect. Everything felt purposefully confusing for *mystery* and *drama* and idk, I don't tend to like that sort of thing. It turns me off more than it lures me in further for answers. Blackbird didn't cross the line doing this, but it sure was straddling it.
This is also one of the reasons I haven't decided if this series is for me or not. I like magic, supernatural, and urban fantasy, but this felt a little . . . I don't know, vaguely CW for me plotwise? It doesn't help that I am very not West Coast and don't really identify with Nina's personality at all. I don't know. I want to like this book, and I do to a degree, but there's just something off about it. Maybe it'll resolve itself in future issues.
The art and colors are gorgeous though. Maybe for some, character's expressions might suffer for a beautiful picture, but that's a sacrifice I'm down to accept. Honestly, the art is the reason I didn't three-star this book.
Though I still feel unsure about the series, I look forward to when the next issues come out (though I'll probably just hold off for a volume 2).
I've followed Jen Bartel, Blackbird's artist, for a couple years now. I love her style. So I've known about this title for a while, but didn't decide to pick it up til today. The main thing holding me back was that I wasn't really sold on the plot from the glimpses I saw. Plus, I've never done the single-comic-issue thing before--I've only done manga and webtoons, not western comics--so maybe I also felt a little intimidated hunting issues down. When I saw today that this collected volume was out, I knew it was time.
Reading it, my misgivings about the plot kinda felt justified. I can't imagine reading this issue by issue. There's nothing but questions, and no answers until the fifth or sixth issue. I'm pretty impatient with plot progression, so I feel like I would have dropped this series if I was trying to grab the issues in real time. There is definitely a lot of potential for some great stuff, but damn everyone feels so secretive for mostly dramatic effect. Everything felt purposefully confusing for *mystery* and *drama* and idk, I don't tend to like that sort of thing. It turns me off more than it lures me in further for answers. Blackbird didn't cross the line doing this, but it sure was straddling it.
This is also one of the reasons I haven't decided if this series is for me or not. I like magic, supernatural, and urban fantasy, but this felt a little . . . I don't know, vaguely CW for me plotwise? It doesn't help that I am very not West Coast and don't really identify with Nina's personality at all. I don't know. I want to like this book, and I do to a degree, but there's just something off about it. Maybe it'll resolve itself in future issues.
The art and colors are gorgeous though. Maybe for some, character's expressions might suffer for a beautiful picture, but that's a sacrifice I'm down to accept. Honestly, the art is the reason I didn't three-star this book.
Though I still feel unsure about the series, I look forward to when the next issues come out (though I'll probably just hold off for a volume 2).
The art was lovely, but the story was ridiculously overwrought. Just the scene after scene of, “Tell me the truth!“ and, “You can’t handle the truth.“
The artwork caught my eye and reminded me of my favourite series The Wicked + The Divine. Since that series is ending, I picked this one up with the hope it might fill the hole WicDiv is going to leave for me. And....maybe? Volume has potential but problems. It reads as if the author was rushing through the build-up to get to the meat of the series for volume 2.
I would have liked the story to have stretched out more and developed Nina's search for her sister along with her growing relationship with Clint. Could have given more insight into how Nina learned about this hidden world of spellcasters through flashbacks. Maybe let us see her obsession and search alongside her getting to know Clint. I feel like some of the big reveals likeher mother being alive should have been left till the end of the first arc which would hook the reader for volume 2 which was when Nina could have confronted her mother and got her powers .
As a whole I do love the concept of magic and the artwork is gorgeous so I will keep an eye out for volume 2.
I would have liked the story to have stretched out more and developed Nina's search for her sister along with her growing relationship with Clint. Could have given more insight into how Nina learned about this hidden world of spellcasters through flashbacks. Maybe let us see her obsession and search alongside her getting to know Clint. I feel like some of the big reveals like
As a whole I do love the concept of magic and the artwork is gorgeous so I will keep an eye out for volume 2.
OKAY SO THIS IS REALLY REALLY GOOD. I NEED THE NEXT COLUME LIKE NOW.
(Also counting this as part of 7/26 for the Reading Rush because it’s only like 20 minutes past midnight)
(Also counting this as part of 7/26 for the Reading Rush because it’s only like 20 minutes past midnight)