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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem' reprints the 3-issue mini-series. It takes place in a quiet village during WWII. A young boy lives with his grandfather waiting for his father to come home. His father is off fighting the war, and the grandfather knows he won't be coming home.
An allied plane crash lands outside the village and the disabled pilot seeks refuge. The village is reluctant to harbor a fugitive, fearing reprisals from the Nazis. The grandfather has a plan for that eventuality. He has the children gather mud and build a figure on the ground. It is a golem. Can this golem save the village from the tanks heading it's way?
There isn't much to the story, but I think that only adds to the realism of the tale being told (minus the golem, of course). The story feels mythic, with a slow build. The art is black and white and very well done. I really enjoyed this one.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fine graphic novel.
An allied plane crash lands outside the village and the disabled pilot seeks refuge. The village is reluctant to harbor a fugitive, fearing reprisals from the Nazis. The grandfather has a plan for that eventuality. He has the children gather mud and build a figure on the ground. It is a golem. Can this golem save the village from the tanks heading it's way?
There isn't much to the story, but I think that only adds to the realism of the tale being told (minus the golem, of course). The story feels mythic, with a slow build. The art is black and white and very well done. I really enjoyed this one.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fine graphic novel.
jamessmith82's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
reads_vicariously's review against another edition
3.0
I came across this graphic novel at the library and decided to check it out just based on the cover and the fact that Steve Niles was involved.
I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.
On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.
It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.
I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.
On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.
It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.
caitz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
angelval20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
howattp's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolutely stunning graphic novel. It recalls Maus or Swamp Thing or The Arrival (by Shaun Tan) in its art and evocative emotion. Every comics fan (and even those who aren't) should read this.
readingvicariously's review against another edition
3.0
I came across this graphic novel at the library and decided to check it out just based on the cover and the fact that Steve Niles was involved.
I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.
On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.
It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.
I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.
On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.
It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.
patsaintsfan's review against another edition
3.0
Quite a simplistic story, but the artwork is beautiful, so I bumped my review up to a 3 star.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
5.0
It amazes me that some black and white art feels so much more real than full color pages. The art here is amazing and lends such a (richness) to the story it's almost like watching a live action film.
And if you read slowly and enjoy the art, you can almost hear the splash of the water and the sizzle as it puts out the fire. The creak of the box as Noah's grandfather opens it and shares its secrets.
It's a great story. Dark yet full of hope. Hope that the better angels of our nature take over and the good within us wins.
And if you read slowly and enjoy the art, you can almost hear the splash of the water and the sizzle as it puts out the fire. The creak of the box as Noah's grandfather opens it and shares its secrets.
It's a great story. Dark yet full of hope. Hope that the better angels of our nature take over and the good within us wins.
thecommonswings's review against another edition
3.0
It’s absolutely... fine. It looks gorgeous but the story does precisely nothing new or unexpected with the golem mythology and feels like a wholly missed opportunity