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ekeiser8's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dylanlouise's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This wasn't bad, but I also didn't get the hype. The illustration style was cool, the plot was interesting, but it didn't feel connected to a bigger idea, and it wasn't that groundbreaking in my opinion.
literallykaren's review
2.0
An excessively strange book. I think RuthAnn gave this one to me. It's kind of written like a comic book. The duty to find some kind of coin that saves the world is passed through a line of women. The young girl in this book discovers that she is next in line, and is all for it. Also... the dark is really creepy... it threatens to take over the world. Or something.
amylandranch's review
2.0
Long ago, land was granted to humans by the Kurbs (a scary alien/not human race) and each year they hide the power in something and a person finds the power and returns it. It is a contract. I found the story to be stilted in the way it was narrated. It felt like I was pushed outside the story. Not a ton of character development or depth to the story. I did like the illustrations. Maybe my middle school kids will like it better. Fantasy or good vs. evil fans might like it. 5th grade and up. Watch out for pigeons!
alicejwhite17's review
5.0
I love graphic novels and this was no exception. It was such a fun read and I love the way Avi used the ideas of the winter solstice in his story. The blend of reality and fiction was clever and fun. I loved the art work by Brian Floca and it enhances the story.
atperez's review
3.0
Although City of Light, City of Dark was a bit slow in finding its rhythm, once it did, it was fast-paced and fun. I did, however, have difficulty at times understanding what I was looking at or what was supposed to be happening in a panel and the story lacks enough backstory for the Kurbs and their power over humans to really make sense; this took away from their credibility as fearful creatures.
Despite the flaws, I couldn't wait to see what happened next as I was reading. My biggest disappointment, perhaps, is that it is in black and white and not in color like its beautifully done cover.
Despite the flaws, I couldn't wait to see what happened next as I was reading. My biggest disappointment, perhaps, is that it is in black and white and not in color like its beautifully done cover.
pussreboots's review
5.0
Avi is one of those authors who has written an umpty-billion novels across a number of genres. He could easily be his own section in the library or bookstore. In my own local library, Avi's books take up three rows of shelves. I could easily spend a month just reading and reviewing his books.
City of Light, City of Dark is a graphic novel illustrated by Brian Floca. It reconstructs the history of Manhattan island in an urban fantasy framework. The island belongs to the Kurbs but they lease the land to humanity. All they have to do is keep safe a small token (literally a bus token) of their power and return it by the winter solstice to an agreed upon location.
Every generation has an appointed keeper of the token. It's always a woman and she's given the power to disguise herself but like so many New York heroes she has to keep her true identity a secret even from her own husband and child.
Most of the novel is told from the daughter's point of view. She's been told her mother is dead and her name has been changed. She lives with her father and they are forever in debt to a blind man who desperately seeks the power of the token.
Manhattan, though never called by name, is recognizable in Brian Floca's black and white illustrations. The surrounding cities and boroughs retain their names but Manhattan is just the Island or the City. The way the Kurbs control the city's fate reminds me of one of my favorite films, Dark City.
City of Light, City of Dark is a graphic novel illustrated by Brian Floca. It reconstructs the history of Manhattan island in an urban fantasy framework. The island belongs to the Kurbs but they lease the land to humanity. All they have to do is keep safe a small token (literally a bus token) of their power and return it by the winter solstice to an agreed upon location.
Every generation has an appointed keeper of the token. It's always a woman and she's given the power to disguise herself but like so many New York heroes she has to keep her true identity a secret even from her own husband and child.
Most of the novel is told from the daughter's point of view. She's been told her mother is dead and her name has been changed. She lives with her father and they are forever in debt to a blind man who desperately seeks the power of the token.
Manhattan, though never called by name, is recognizable in Brian Floca's black and white illustrations. The surrounding cities and boroughs retain their names but Manhattan is just the Island or the City. The way the Kurbs control the city's fate reminds me of one of my favorite films, Dark City.
amdame1's review
3.0
This is a reprint of the 1993 graphic novel by Avi and Floca to celebrate it's 20th anniversary.
It is unknown to most people that the city of New York is actually owned by shadow creatures called the Kurbs who supply power to the city, also controlling day and night. When people began to settle there, they had to make a bargain with the Kurbs in order to live there. Part of the agreement had to do with a magic token that would be hidden by the Kurbs every year, and every year the chosen woman would seek out the token and then return it to the Kurbs by the deadline. If this did not happen the Kurbs would turn off the power to the city and take control of the city once again. A man named Underton wanted more power for himself. However, his greed ended in disaster and he became obsessed with getting the token. Several key characters must thwart Underton in order to save the city. Two of these characters are a mom and daughter, who are very difficult to differentiate in the illustrations. Overall the illustrations are excellent except for the aforementioned problem. Especially vivid are the aerial views of NYC which include the Twin Towers as it was originally published before 9/11.
It is unknown to most people that the city of New York is actually owned by shadow creatures called the Kurbs who supply power to the city, also controlling day and night. When people began to settle there, they had to make a bargain with the Kurbs in order to live there. Part of the agreement had to do with a magic token that would be hidden by the Kurbs every year, and every year the chosen woman would seek out the token and then return it to the Kurbs by the deadline. If this did not happen the Kurbs would turn off the power to the city and take control of the city once again. A man named Underton wanted more power for himself. However, his greed ended in disaster and he became obsessed with getting the token. Several key characters must thwart Underton in order to save the city. Two of these characters are a mom and daughter, who are very difficult to differentiate in the illustrations. Overall the illustrations are excellent except for the aforementioned problem. Especially vivid are the aerial views of NYC which include the Twin Towers as it was originally published before 9/11.
booknooknoggin's review
1.0
Beautiful cover,and the perfect example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Bad story that is kinda vague at times.