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dembury's review against another edition
2.0
This was kind of a let down, honestly. While there are a couple interesting characters and the art is pretty nice, the story as a whole lacks backbone. So much is hinted at or teased, but the authors fail to deliver any real substance to feed the reader. At one point, a character grumbles, "No straight answers", and that exactly how I felt about this book. "The Black Bull of Norroway" promises a lot, but in reality there is just a lot of half-hearted exposition and partially formed tales of mythical dead people.
ellieroth's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
thriftarchives's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
theduchess93's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for absolutely stunning artwork. 3.5-4 for the story -- maybe I just haven't gotten invested yet, but it felt like we /almost/ got to know some of the characters but not quite.
sailorkchick's review against another edition
3.0
Focuses on trials, finding your own path and seeing the truth behind the illusion.
tani's review against another edition
4.0
When Sibylla and her sisters were children, they went to visit the witch, bringing offerings of eggs and food. Each girl in her turn asked who she would marry, and the witch cracked each egg and foretold the future. Sibylla's sisters had common enough answers, but Sibylla... According to the witch, Sibylla would marry a bull. Well, it has to be better than the goose boy, Sibylla reasoned, though she'd much rather go off and have adventures. No one really expected that prophecy to come true. After all, how does a girl marry a bull? But one day, when Sibylla's reached adulthood and her sisters are married and in homes of their own, the black bull of Norroway comes to their little valley, looking for his bride...
I think I put this on my to-read list because I loved the art of Afar so much, and I was looking for other works drawn by Kit Seaton. This certainly fulfilled that longing! I really enjoy Kit Seaton's art, it seems. Her characters are so expressive. There's none of the sense of disconnect that I occasionally get from other comic art. Her colors are also lovely and bright, and every time I read something that she's drawn, I get the urge to buy a physical copy, just so I can look at the art.
In terms of story, this was also very enjoyable. I like fairy tale retellings, especially ones that draw from a variety of sources and mash them together, as this one does. The basis of the story is a Beauty and the Beast variant, but there are elements of a number of other fairy tales woven throughout the story. The action moves along pretty quickly as well, introducing the world and its issues at a decent clip. It was mostly lacking the disjointed feel that some comics take on, although the ending did feel a bit unmoored for a minute, until I found my footing.
My only real complaint is that I felt a little baffled about the choice that Sibylla initially makes to go with the bull. Given Sibylla's stubborn and impulsive character, I felt like she really would have put up more resistance to the whole thing, so her relatively easy acquiescence felt forced to me. I think I would have appreciated a touch more exploration of that whole choice for her, though I imagine space limitations may have made that difficult.
Either way, I am eagerly looking forward to getting the chance to read the second installment in this series!
I think I put this on my to-read list because I loved the art of Afar so much, and I was looking for other works drawn by Kit Seaton. This certainly fulfilled that longing! I really enjoy Kit Seaton's art, it seems. Her characters are so expressive. There's none of the sense of disconnect that I occasionally get from other comic art. Her colors are also lovely and bright, and every time I read something that she's drawn, I get the urge to buy a physical copy, just so I can look at the art.
In terms of story, this was also very enjoyable. I like fairy tale retellings, especially ones that draw from a variety of sources and mash them together, as this one does. The basis of the story is a Beauty and the Beast variant, but there are elements of a number of other fairy tales woven throughout the story. The action moves along pretty quickly as well, introducing the world and its issues at a decent clip. It was mostly lacking the disjointed feel that some comics take on, although the ending did feel a bit unmoored for a minute, until I found my footing.
My only real complaint is that I felt a little baffled about the choice that Sibylla initially makes to go with the bull. Given Sibylla's stubborn and impulsive character, I felt like she really would have put up more resistance to the whole thing, so her relatively easy acquiescence felt forced to me. I think I would have appreciated a touch more exploration of that whole choice for her, though I imagine space limitations may have made that difficult.
Either way, I am eagerly looking forward to getting the chance to read the second installment in this series!
alexibarra's review against another edition
4.0
A childish familiar beginning takes a very dark turn in the few pages before the title, setting expectations for a 'look-beyond-the-surface' kinda read. It never quite hits the same tone again, but this is only Volume 1.
The feisty heroine lacks depth--at least no opportunities to explore it are shown in this first volume--but is likable enough to keep interest. The artist made a fantastic job with the expressions, specially with the less-than-human characters.
I'm curious about the setting, which starts fairly relatable and then introduces magic as a normal part of the world. Many questions are thrown at the end of the book, right on the verge of keeping me hooked or tossing it away because it's so confusing. I'm hooked, for the moment.
3.5 rounded up.
The feisty heroine lacks depth--at least no opportunities to explore it are shown in this first volume--but is likable enough to keep interest. The artist made a fantastic job with the expressions, specially with the less-than-human characters.
I'm curious about the setting, which starts fairly relatable and then introduces magic as a normal part of the world. Many questions are thrown at the end of the book, right on the verge of keeping me hooked or tossing it away because it's so confusing. I'm hooked, for the moment.
3.5 rounded up.
annalisenak97's review against another edition
4.0
This is based on my favorite folktale, a very weird story of magic and loyalty and fighting for what you love. And this was quite good! The art is beautiful and I love the different twists the Seatons give the story. Sibylla has some weird characterization-- she feels unfinished. She'll just have random outbursts that remain unexplained for no reason, which is weird. But I did love all the side characters a lot. I don't know how to review a graphic novel but here we are.
spooglaloo's review against another edition
5.0
Way more interesting than I thought it was gonna be. I love that it's based on actual Scottish folklore. Also such a big cliff hanger I need more.