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ula_j's review
3.0
There were parts of the book where I got a bit lost. The art isn't as clear as it could be but it's an interesting premise and an ending I liked a lot. This is a post-"rapture" book where tons of people have floated into space while everyone that's left is figuring out the new world where magic works, dogs talk, and angels are gunning people down. Short and a fast read but the art could be a little better in some of the action pages.
bbboeken's review
2.0
Hier had ik toch meer van verwacht, geprezen door Neil Gaiman en al. Vermoedelijk mis ik een of andere introductie. Ik zal eens op internet zoeken.
mrsthrift's review
2.0
This is a post-apocalyptic graphic novel with fascinating secondary characters and a flimsy grip on linear narrative. The story opens when Mummy & Raven arrive in post-Rapture Chicago. Half the population of the world has floated up into the sky during the Rapture, and the half "left behind" are negotiating their way through a mysterious, spooky, anarchist world. They are split into two groups - people who think they can commit enough good deeds to float away when a secondary rapture takes place, and those who don't believe in a secondary rapture. The Rapture has left plenty of great, furnished, empty apartments for squatters to inhabit. Society has more or less collapsed in many of the big, important ways, although individual people have decided to keep certain functions running - some people volunteer as school teachers to children, even though the education system has collapsed. Some policemen still walk their beats. Some bartenders still tend bar, and some store clerks keep their shelves stocked. Raven & Mummy are romantically involved in addition to their former life as bandmates. Pre-Rapture, they toured, attending musical festivals in their costumes/masks. Post-Rapture, they kept their stage identities to remind someone of something (I was unclear on this point). There are plenty of elements to keep the story weird. The corner store only accepts playing cards, not cash. The couple's dog starts talking (and other dogs talk, too). For some reason, there are still active yoga studios? Magical spells and activities are increasingly commonplace, but the weirdness of the world naturalize the magical elements.
While I don't love the artwork, I can appreciate the style & storytelling. I personally don't prefer the really heavy, dark illustration style in this book. I thought the storyline was too out there, and the character development was insufficient. The romantic storyline seemed like an afterthought. The premise is so interesting, and the bits of story that 'worked,' well, they really worked. Overall, I had a difficult time accepting the fictional world and a tougher time keeping up with the plot development. I really like the author's ideas and characters, however, so I would definitely read something else of his despite my low rating for this book.
While I don't love the artwork, I can appreciate the style & storytelling. I personally don't prefer the really heavy, dark illustration style in this book. I thought the storyline was too out there, and the character development was insufficient. The romantic storyline seemed like an afterthought. The premise is so interesting, and the bits of story that 'worked,' well, they really worked. Overall, I had a difficult time accepting the fictional world and a tougher time keeping up with the plot development. I really like the author's ideas and characters, however, so I would definitely read something else of his despite my low rating for this book.
juniperb23's review
5.0
Though I wasn't a big fan of the artwork (I'm a graphic novel snob), the story was pretty good. It tells the story of what might happen after the rapture.
crowyhead's review
3.0
I had trouble following this, for some reason. I really like the ideas, but the execution was a bit murky.
rdebner's review
4.0
Premise: what if the evangelical Christians were right and the Rapture came? A sly, well-written book.
wandering_not_lost's review
3.0
"What if the religious right... are right? Once the Christians have floated bodily into the sky, life goes on pretty much as usual for the immoral majority... . except that magic works, if you're willing to risk demonic mutations." And also risk getting hunted down by the "angelic" army that seems to have been deployed to take out the "covenant breakers". Raven and Mummy, two lovers who live in this new world, find themselves smack in the middle of the mystery of what all these supernatural changes mean, as well as in the middle of more personal worries, like where their relationship is going (if anywhere).
The art was good, the story original. What WOULD happen, physically and sociologically, if all the "Chosen" ascended? Not, of course, what you'd expect. Talking dogs, magical powers, and "angels" with semi-automatic weapons included. The story fell a bit flat at the end, as this seemed more a concept book than anything: heavy on the characterization and world-building, but lighter on actual plot. There was also obviously room for a sequel, so what plot there was got truncated near the end. Original enough that despite all that it was memorable and consistently interesting.
The art was good, the story original. What WOULD happen, physically and sociologically, if all the "Chosen" ascended? Not, of course, what you'd expect. Talking dogs, magical powers, and "angels" with semi-automatic weapons included. The story fell a bit flat at the end, as this seemed more a concept book than anything: heavy on the characterization and world-building, but lighter on actual plot. There was also obviously room for a sequel, so what plot there was got truncated near the end. Original enough that despite all that it was memorable and consistently interesting.