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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An excellent graphic novel that tells the story of young Aiza, a girl of Ornu background, who dreams of becoming a knight someday. However, her people are heavily discriminated against so she must hide that part of herself if she wants to be accepted by those around her as she starts training to first become a squire. She has only learned of the honor and benefits of joining the army and we follow as she starts to learn the truth about what being in that army entails.
This is a story of learning about history, the way that it is told to the masses, and the consequences of only hearing one side of history for all your life. It is about asking questions and being open to change.
I highly recommend this story, I hope to read more from Alfageeh and Shammas soon.
This is a story of learning about history, the way that it is told to the masses, and the consequences of only hearing one side of history for all your life. It is about asking questions and being open to change.
I highly recommend this story, I hope to read more from Alfageeh and Shammas soon.
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A brilliant story, engaging story, fabulous characters. A must read for everyone!
80%
"They dangle the prize of status, mobility, a better life. They use your bodies and train you and their sweet rewards stay in the future while you toil here, now."
* beautifully captured the colors of desert landscapes, such as those found in the North Africa and the Middle East. the artist (Sara Alfageeh) mentioned using the Bedouin and Berbers as inspiration, and you can certainly see it. the designs were well-researched and a pleasure to see depicted in modern American media
* the story itself was pretty basic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. it followed a trope that lent itself quite nicely to the style of the book
* the moral of the book is to question the narrative you are told and who it serves - this is such an important concept that we underutilize in our everyday lives, so I'm always glad to see it
"We don't make the wheel, but the cart can take you where you want to go."
"History is made not by the figures who we talk about today but by those who are invested in documenting and shaping it. In their hands, events are a tool. Characters are a tool. History, altogether, is a tool, and tools are neutral until they're wielded. When you listen to a story, think about who is telling it. When you listen to a history, think about who it serves."
"They dangle the prize of status, mobility, a better life. They use your bodies and train you and their sweet rewards stay in the future while you toil here, now."
* beautifully captured the colors of desert landscapes, such as those found in the North Africa and the Middle East. the artist (Sara Alfageeh) mentioned using the Bedouin and Berbers as inspiration, and you can certainly see it. the designs were well-researched and a pleasure to see depicted in modern American media
* the story itself was pretty basic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. it followed a trope that lent itself quite nicely to the style of the book
* the moral of the book is to question the narrative you are told and who it serves - this is such an important concept that we underutilize in our everyday lives, so I'm always glad to see it
"We don't make the wheel, but the cart can take you where you want to go."
"History is made not by the figures who we talk about today but by those who are invested in documenting and shaping it. In their hands, events are a tool. Characters are a tool. History, altogether, is a tool, and tools are neutral until they're wielded. When you listen to a story, think about who is telling it. When you listen to a history, think about who it serves."
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a beautiful tale of learning about the evils of the world and being brave enough to do something about them. The art style was fantastic, the story kept me hooked, and I'm so invested in everyone's lives here!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I laughed, I cried, I marveled at the gorgeous art and easy writing. A great read and one I’m sure only gets better on paper! There doesn’t seem to be any talk of a sequel, but if one comes out I’ll be sat!
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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:
Complicated
This book was amazing. Let's talk about the graphics. It was beautifully done and the expressions really gave us a look at the characters personalities before they even spoke. This was over 300 pages yet it went by like a dream and I finished it in an hour. The story itself was really intriguing and impactful. If you're a history buff or love war based fictions this is definitely for you but even I loved it and I'm not the biggest fan of war based books. The message could be implied in our current society and it really makes you think about being part of the machine. I loved it but the ending was too open for my tastes. I like everything wrapped up in a bow so I know where everyone ended up.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A truly amazing tale of the horrors of war, and the futility of it as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Classism
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm always down for some anti-military critique. the second half was too rushed for its own good tho, it didn't hit as much as it could. it's a good story. too bad it didn't get more pages to unravel the change in everyone's minds more slowly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation