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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Cloudia and Rex' by Ulises Farinas with art by Erick Freitas is a weird story with weird art, but I kind of liked it.
Cloudia and Rex are sisters and they are moving to Seattle with their mother. For no given reason, a group of gods trying to stop the end of the world get involved in their lives. Cloudia finds she has super strength, and Rex can turn into any animal she likes (for Rex, this is mostly extinct animals). The opposing gods seem to be easily foiled by technology like Cloudia's smart phone.
The art is strange and strangely colored, but I like the choices that Freitas has made here. The story has some abrupt transitions that felt a little confusing. It's a short story at only 3 included issues, but I liked the story it told.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Cloudia and Rex are sisters and they are moving to Seattle with their mother. For no given reason, a group of gods trying to stop the end of the world get involved in their lives. Cloudia finds she has super strength, and Rex can turn into any animal she likes (for Rex, this is mostly extinct animals). The opposing gods seem to be easily foiled by technology like Cloudia's smart phone.
The art is strange and strangely colored, but I like the choices that Freitas has made here. The story has some abrupt transitions that felt a little confusing. It's a short story at only 3 included issues, but I liked the story it told.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
becandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I received this ARC for NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A big thank you to Ulises Farinas, Erick Freitas and Diamond Book Distributors!
This book has so much potential. But sadly it suffered in so many areas that it just didn't become what it could have been.
Cloudia and Rex is a graphic novel about two girls and their mum as they fall into the middle of a vast, supernatural war. They encounter countless gods as they become entwined in the survival or destruction of each of them.
I mean that blurb sounds fantastic, right? And yet, the story is all over the place. There is no clear-cut plotline. The MCs are kinda just thrown into this war between gods for absolutely no reason. There is very little backstory for any of the characters.
The MCs' story develops a little, but not until late in the story. But I had very little understanding of what was happening with the gods. Why were they were fighting? Who were they? Were they representative of actual religion or not?
The story is, all in all, kinda bizarre. Also just the fact that the book is named after the two daughters despite the fact that their mum plays just a big a role in the story, makes no sense to me.
What the story did have working for them was the artwork. While it still completely unbeknownst to me whether the gods are meant to represent actual religious figures, I love how they were presented. Although I have no idea what the go is with this guy:
While largely it felt forced and just didn't work, there were moments where having a POC teenager full of attitude as one the MCs was just highly entertaining. I mean, I freaking love some of the sass:
In conclusion, however, the vivid illustrations just made me want more of a solid, easy to follow storyline.
More reviews | Twitter | Pinterest | Sleep is good, he said, and books are better (G.R.R. Martin)
This book has so much potential. But sadly it suffered in so many areas that it just didn't become what it could have been.
Cloudia and Rex is a graphic novel about two girls and their mum as they fall into the middle of a vast, supernatural war. They encounter countless gods as they become entwined in the survival or destruction of each of them.
I mean that blurb sounds fantastic, right? And yet, the story is all over the place. There is no clear-cut plotline. The MCs are kinda just thrown into this war between gods for absolutely no reason. There is very little backstory for any of the characters.
The MCs' story develops a little, but not until late in the story. But I had very little understanding of what was happening with the gods. Why were they were fighting? Who were they? Were they representative of actual religion or not?
The story is, all in all, kinda bizarre. Also just the fact that the book is named after the two daughters despite the fact that their mum plays just a big a role in the story, makes no sense to me.
What the story did have working for them was the artwork. While it still completely unbeknownst to me whether the gods are meant to represent actual religious figures, I love how they were presented. Although I have no idea what the go is with this guy:
While largely it felt forced and just didn't work, there were moments where having a POC teenager full of attitude as one the MCs was just highly entertaining. I mean, I freaking love some of the sass:
In conclusion, however, the vivid illustrations just made me want more of a solid, easy to follow storyline.
More reviews | Twitter | Pinterest | Sleep is good, he said, and books are better (G.R.R. Martin)
ericawrites's review against another edition
5.0
A great three-part story about a mother and her two daughters who given god-like powers. It's also a story about grief, acceptance, and love.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of Cloudia and Rex from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The concept behind Cloudia and Rex is a pretty interesting one, at its core. A mother and her two daughters (Cloudia and Rex, the namesakes of the graphic novel) are heading out on a journey to find a new life for themselves. However, what they find along the way isn’t something any of them could have predicted; gods and a war or celestials (and thus for life itself).
In actuality Cloudia and Rex was a bit of a letdown, and I feel bad saying that. The dialogue was pretty childish (even when considering that two of the characters are children themselves) and felt like it was ninety percent shouting (not exactly a relaxing read). Because of this I never really got attached to any of the characters, so I didn’t really worry about their safety, or feel for their sacrifices.
The plot was pretty rushed as well. I think I would have liked this much more had it been double in length, allowing us time to first get to know the girls, the celestials, and then finally the plot. Instead it all kind of ended up all mashed together. Not only was this off-putting, but it was confusing as well.
I loved the twist about the cell phone, and how the gods thought it was important. I’m not sure if this was thrown in as a joke or not, but it was really a stroke of brilliance. If that had been more of a focal point, I think I would have liked this series a whole lot more.
My complaints about the dialogue and plot aside, the artwork was lovely. I really enjoyed seeing the way the artist decided to represent each god, and the color palettes that went with them. I would love to see more work from this artist, so I sincerely hope they continue doing what they’re doing.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The concept behind Cloudia and Rex is a pretty interesting one, at its core. A mother and her two daughters (Cloudia and Rex, the namesakes of the graphic novel) are heading out on a journey to find a new life for themselves. However, what they find along the way isn’t something any of them could have predicted; gods and a war or celestials (and thus for life itself).
In actuality Cloudia and Rex was a bit of a letdown, and I feel bad saying that. The dialogue was pretty childish (even when considering that two of the characters are children themselves) and felt like it was ninety percent shouting (not exactly a relaxing read). Because of this I never really got attached to any of the characters, so I didn’t really worry about their safety, or feel for their sacrifices.
The plot was pretty rushed as well. I think I would have liked this much more had it been double in length, allowing us time to first get to know the girls, the celestials, and then finally the plot. Instead it all kind of ended up all mashed together. Not only was this off-putting, but it was confusing as well.
I loved the twist about the cell phone, and how the gods thought it was important. I’m not sure if this was thrown in as a joke or not, but it was really a stroke of brilliance. If that had been more of a focal point, I think I would have liked this series a whole lot more.
My complaints about the dialogue and plot aside, the artwork was lovely. I really enjoyed seeing the way the artist decided to represent each god, and the color palettes that went with them. I would love to see more work from this artist, so I sincerely hope they continue doing what they’re doing.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
jmanchester0's review against another edition
4.0
This is wicked weird!
As the comic opens, I can only say, ‰ЫПWhat the‰Ы_?‰Ыќ
I like the design. It‰ЫЄs really different.
And I don‰ЫЄt think I‰ЫЄve ever seen angels portrayed like they are really described in the Bible!
It gets a little confusing at times, but overall, I like the story. There are just some parts that are a tad unclear. This is one of the things I find with sequential art - when the story is told in pictures, if the pictures aren‰ЫЄt perfectly clear, the story sometimes isn‰ЫЄt clear.
But also, when it‰ЫЄs part of the art and the art is the story, that‰ЫЄs sometimes the beauty of it.
I thought it was worth reading, and I‰ЫЄd pick up something by these writers and artists again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Distributors for a copy in return for an honest review.
As the comic opens, I can only say, ‰ЫПWhat the‰Ы_?‰Ыќ
I like the design. It‰ЫЄs really different.
And I don‰ЫЄt think I‰ЫЄve ever seen angels portrayed like they are really described in the Bible!
It gets a little confusing at times, but overall, I like the story. There are just some parts that are a tad unclear. This is one of the things I find with sequential art - when the story is told in pictures, if the pictures aren‰ЫЄt perfectly clear, the story sometimes isn‰ЫЄt clear.
But also, when it‰ЫЄs part of the art and the art is the story, that‰ЫЄs sometimes the beauty of it.
I thought it was worth reading, and I‰ЫЄd pick up something by these writers and artists again.
Thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Distributors for a copy in return for an honest review.
jackelz's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story, but parts were super confusing and rushed.
jackelz's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story, but parts were super confusing and rushed.
iamrainbou's review against another edition
3.0
Cloudia and her sister Rex lost their father recently and their mother decides to move away. Meanwhile, Gods and Goddesses are escaping from their world to save themselves. Cloudia's family and these entities collide: Rex becomes a rhino, and Cloudia's phone has the powerful entities inside.
Cloudia is dealing with her grief, sadness, and anger. She is trying to accept what happened with his father. Her feelings are raw and complex, and she's a wonderful character. Well, the three women are very complex and I liked them. I mean, I'm here for afro-latinas with magic and powers.
The story is a little bit confusing, but the art is beautiful, I really liked the palette of violets and pinks. Once I got what it was happening, I enjoyed Cloudia and Rex a lot. I like books about gods and goddesses, especially when there are many different cultures together. I don't know, I think it shows perfectly the diversity of the world and how different religions can coexist together.
Ulises Farinas's book surprised me, I wasn't expecting a discussion about grief, family and learning to grow from the pain. It was heartwarming to see Cloudia's journey. And I seriously need more from these characters. Pretty please?
Copy received through netgalley in exhange an honest review.
Cloudia is dealing with her grief, sadness, and anger. She is trying to accept what happened with his father. Her feelings are raw and complex, and she's a wonderful character. Well, the three women are very complex and I liked them. I mean, I'm here for afro-latinas with magic and powers.
The story is a little bit confusing, but the art is beautiful, I really liked the palette of violets and pinks. Once I got what it was happening, I enjoyed Cloudia and Rex a lot. I like books about gods and goddesses, especially when there are many different cultures together. I don't know, I think it shows perfectly the diversity of the world and how different religions can coexist together.
Ulises Farinas's book surprised me, I wasn't expecting a discussion about grief, family and learning to grow from the pain. It was heartwarming to see Cloudia's journey. And I seriously need more from these characters. Pretty please?
Copy received through netgalley in exhange an honest review.
larakaa's review
4.0
Oh my glob the finale/solution is truly great! I laughed and cheered out loud. Won’t spoil anything. What a terrific mini series!
librarianryan's review
3.0
I'm going to give this graphic novel an interesting. The color work is amazing, and it's a sheer joy to look at, but the story is a tad hard to follow. Cloudia and Rex are sisters. They are traveling with their mom but I'm not sure to where. Cloudia is all about her phone. She's actually a brat. Someone I would never want to be friends with. She yells and talks back to her mom. When gods and deities get trapped in her phone, and also in her and her sisters souls, it will be mom to the rescue. Then you get to the end. Cramps, seriously. Yeah not my thing. I will not be reading a sequel.