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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
‘A Sparrow’s Roar’ by Cristina Rose Chua and Paolo Chikiamco is a graphic novel about taking sibling rivalry too far and a sister who has to make up for a mistake.
Two warring armies fighting over Esterpike, one army led by brothers, the other led by two women, with one, Per, impersonating her dead sister. Per must be the face of her city-state to negotiate for war support. While she is doing this, she uncovers a vile conspiracy.
I was lost for the first third of this story, as if there is a previous volume I was unaware of. The art is a fine manga style and the story eventually came together for me, but I’m nor sure many readers will stick with it.
Two warring armies fighting over Esterpike, one army led by brothers, the other led by two women, with one, Per, impersonating her dead sister. Per must be the face of her city-state to negotiate for war support. While she is doing this, she uncovers a vile conspiracy.
I was lost for the first third of this story, as if there is a previous volume I was unaware of. The art is a fine manga style and the story eventually came together for me, but I’m nor sure many readers will stick with it.
comicsaint's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
hellocookie's review against another edition
3.0
This is more like a three and a half stars for me. Really loved the art, and the story but it felt a bit rushed from start to finish. This emotional story could’ve benefited from some more character development to endear us a little more to the cast. But ultimately I really enjoyed the concept and story here which tells a tale about a young woman who wants to make things right by her family and her people.
rgyger's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
This is a really great story about family and courage. While some of the art made it difficult to tell certain characters apart, that did play into a twist which was well done. This book set up great motivations for the characters and leaves room for more books in the story world, while still bringing this story to a satisfying conclusion.
Based on the cover art, I had thought this was about a middle school character. It isn't, and that becomes more apparent as the story goes on. Instead, it is about young adults, trying to protect and lead while living up to family legacies.
I have provided an honest review after having received an ecopy of the book through Netgalley.
This is a really great story about family and courage. While some of the art made it difficult to tell certain characters apart, that did play into a twist which was well done. This book set up great motivations for the characters and leaves room for more books in the story world, while still bringing this story to a satisfying conclusion.
Based on the cover art, I had thought this was about a middle school character. It isn't, and that becomes more apparent as the story goes on. Instead, it is about young adults, trying to protect and lead while living up to family legacies.
I have provided an honest review after having received an ecopy of the book through Netgalley.
booklover160's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this graphic novel! (I've been on a graphic novel kick and this one is so far my favorite!)
The story moves very fast but then it's a shorter graphic novel (I finished it in around an hour). Some things get lost in the fast pace, but I did feel that the story was well thought out and came to a satisfying conclusion. Of course, I'd love to read more in this world, including a more elaborate prequel, but it's enough for me to be entertained with this one novel.
Suggested for grades 5+.
The story moves very fast but then it's a shorter graphic novel (I finished it in around an hour). Some things get lost in the fast pace, but I did feel that the story was well thought out and came to a satisfying conclusion. Of course, I'd love to read more in this world, including a more elaborate prequel, but it's enough for me to be entertained with this one novel.
Suggested for grades 5+.
chamomiledaydreams's review against another edition
3.0
The art in this book is absolutely stunning. I'd never heard of the title or author/artist before, so it was the cover and a quick scan of the inner pages that convinced me to check out this graphic novel on an impulse. I didn't even read the summary on the back beforehand, but I fell in love with the vibes of this fantasy world nevertheless.
"A Sparrow's Roar" is a relatively short read, consisting of only four chapters, so there isn't the space for dense world-building. But the countries are easy to keep track of, since they're color-coded, not just in their flags and banners, but also in their architecture and rooftops. The fashion, too, caught my eye instantly, because it blends traits that I associate with masculinity and femininity. Most of the characters are young women with short hair, who might look butch except for the fact that they mostly wear dresses when they're not in their armor. The archery outfits especially stand out to me, and I appreciate how the artist designed everything. The armor isn't made to accentuate the characters' chests; it's practical and not sculpted out like a bra. Additionally, Chua does not shy away from giving the female characters pronounced muscles and broad shoulders, which is always refreshing to see.
My biggest reservation with this graphic novel, in terms of, "I don't quite know how to feel about this yet," is the disabled representation. (WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.) The main villain has a wooden right arm, and at first, this serves to endear him to the characters and readers, as a point of sympathy and humanity. But then, we learn that he didn't lose his arm gallantly in battle, as many people assumed. Instead, he asked his brother to cut it off for him during the war, to support a lie that would help him gain access to his goal and trust from those in power.
I am all for seeing disabled characters in fiction, and I don't think that it's necessarily wrong to have a villain who is disabled. But when that villain is the only disabled character in the story, I grow suspicious. And when that villain's disability is directly linked to their villainy, I feel hurt and betrayed, by the storytellers more than by the character. It's not his fault he was written like that! The wooden arm feels unnecessary to me, like the only thing making this character disabled accomplishes is vilifying disability in the first place. "You thought that you could trust this man, since he has a disability," the narrative seems to say. "But little did you know, he brought this disability upon himself, and it is an indelible mark of his evil!"
Besides this discomfiting detail, I genuinely enjoyed "A Sparrow's Roar." I like the emphasis on sibling relationships and the Shakespearean trope of siblings switching places, sometimes against their will and other times to execute a clever plan. The story feels cohesive due to this overarching theme, and I enjoy the parallels between the two good sisters and the two evil brothers. That one line Per says about relating to the villain's brother, because he's about to become an only child... That hit hard!
And the art was fantastic, in terms of both sharp, bold lines and in beautiful, satisfying colors. I cannot stress the beauty of the style enough. It's impressive how much story and emotion Chua can generate through a relatively small amount of space, too. I grew to love these characters, especially Per, whom I had just met, and each battle had emotional depth and high stakes. The way that flashbacks are interwoven into the current drama is excellent, and each page truly is a work of art.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves graphic novels, gender non-conforming women (at least, in the context of our world), and fantasy settings. It's worth mentioning that there isn't any romance to speak of in "A Sparrow's Roar." That's part of what I love, to be honest: that the highest emphasis is on family and friendship, rather than sex and romance. I was briefly afraid that one of the sisters might develop a romance with one of the brothers, but thankfully, that did not happen, and the story was all the stronger for it, in my opinion.
"A Sparrow's Roar" is a relatively short read, consisting of only four chapters, so there isn't the space for dense world-building. But the countries are easy to keep track of, since they're color-coded, not just in their flags and banners, but also in their architecture and rooftops. The fashion, too, caught my eye instantly, because it blends traits that I associate with masculinity and femininity. Most of the characters are young women with short hair, who might look butch except for the fact that they mostly wear dresses when they're not in their armor. The archery outfits especially stand out to me, and I appreciate how the artist designed everything. The armor isn't made to accentuate the characters' chests; it's practical and not sculpted out like a bra. Additionally, Chua does not shy away from giving the female characters pronounced muscles and broad shoulders, which is always refreshing to see.
My biggest reservation with this graphic novel, in terms of, "I don't quite know how to feel about this yet," is the disabled representation. (WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.) The main villain has a wooden right arm, and at first, this serves to endear him to the characters and readers, as a point of sympathy and humanity. But then, we learn that he didn't lose his arm gallantly in battle, as many people assumed. Instead, he asked his brother to cut it off for him during the war, to support a lie that would help him gain access to his goal and trust from those in power.
I am all for seeing disabled characters in fiction, and I don't think that it's necessarily wrong to have a villain who is disabled. But when that villain is the only disabled character in the story, I grow suspicious. And when that villain's disability is directly linked to their villainy, I feel hurt and betrayed, by the storytellers more than by the character. It's not his fault he was written like that! The wooden arm feels unnecessary to me, like the only thing making this character disabled accomplishes is vilifying disability in the first place. "You thought that you could trust this man, since he has a disability," the narrative seems to say. "But little did you know, he brought this disability upon himself, and it is an indelible mark of his evil!"
Besides this discomfiting detail, I genuinely enjoyed "A Sparrow's Roar." I like the emphasis on sibling relationships and the Shakespearean trope of siblings switching places, sometimes against their will and other times to execute a clever plan. The story feels cohesive due to this overarching theme, and I enjoy the parallels between the two good sisters and the two evil brothers. That one line Per says about relating to the villain's brother, because he's about to become an only child... That hit hard!
And the art was fantastic, in terms of both sharp, bold lines and in beautiful, satisfying colors. I cannot stress the beauty of the style enough. It's impressive how much story and emotion Chua can generate through a relatively small amount of space, too. I grew to love these characters, especially Per, whom I had just met, and each battle had emotional depth and high stakes. The way that flashbacks are interwoven into the current drama is excellent, and each page truly is a work of art.
I would recommend this story to anyone who loves graphic novels, gender non-conforming women (at least, in the context of our world), and fantasy settings. It's worth mentioning that there isn't any romance to speak of in "A Sparrow's Roar." That's part of what I love, to be honest: that the highest emphasis is on family and friendship, rather than sex and romance. I was briefly afraid that one of the sisters might develop a romance with one of the brothers, but thankfully, that did not happen, and the story was all the stronger for it, in my opinion.
jkenna1990's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
This was a fantastic graphic novel. I loved every second of it and I would highly recommend it to anyone. This story is about Per and her sister Elena. Elena is the leader of the Lions and a badass with a bow. After something goes horribly wrong, Per watches as Elena is killed on the battlefield. Per assumes Elena's identity as this rapidly spiral out of control. Will Per be able to keep her home safe? Will she get revenge on Elena's killer? You'll have to check this out and find out for yourself!
This was a really great graphic novel and I would highly recommend it. If you like badass ladies doing badass things then this one will be right up your alley.
This was a fantastic graphic novel. I loved every second of it and I would highly recommend it to anyone. This story is about Per and her sister Elena. Elena is the leader of the Lions and a badass with a bow. After something goes horribly wrong, Per watches as Elena is killed on the battlefield. Per assumes Elena's identity as this rapidly spiral out of control. Will Per be able to keep her home safe? Will she get revenge on Elena's killer? You'll have to check this out and find out for yourself!
This was a really great graphic novel and I would highly recommend it. If you like badass ladies doing badass things then this one will be right up your alley.
droar's review against another edition
3.0
Solid story & lovely art, but I found the plot a little difficult to follow (some of this, at least at the beginning, seems quite intentional in retrospect). There are some truly excellent high points (my favorite is the opening of the duel on the field) but overall things feel a wee bit muddled & underdeveloped. Still worth a read, it just might take another one to fully grasp the story.
cupcakesandsmut's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you netgalley for the chance to review. I did enjoy this book, however in the beginning of the story I had such a hard time telling the difference between per and her sister elena.
During Elena's birthday she falls in battle. Her sister Per who just happens to look identical to her sister, impersonates Elena to try and save Estherpike. I really loved the illustrations, the artwork was pretty amazing. I would recommend to a friend who enjoys graphic novels and stories about knights.
During Elena's birthday she falls in battle. Her sister Per who just happens to look identical to her sister, impersonates Elena to try and save Estherpike. I really loved the illustrations, the artwork was pretty amazing. I would recommend to a friend who enjoys graphic novels and stories about knights.
moonsoup's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0