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crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of this fable is spectacular. The Seatons' marriage of art and myth drew me right into the story in a way few young adult graphic novels are able to accomplish. And the art continues to be five stars all the way through.
Unfortunately, the protagonist in the story is kept in the dark about her husband's backstory, and each time she asks about it, we, the readers, are mired more and more in a convoluded tale that is never properly explained. In this way, we feel the same frustration she does. Unfortunately, I don't read books to feel frustrated, so I found the conceit annoying.
The ending of this book is disappointing and confusing. During her husband's "fight within himself" (siiiiiiiiiiiiigh), our hero ends up in a completely different place, and we are left with a "What Will Happen Next?" page.
If the book had been able to maintain the promise of its first thirty or so pages, I would be recommending this book to everyone. It's a cool premise with great art, but the longer the book went, the more disjointed and unnecessarily convoluted it became, and now I would only really recommend it to kids who devour fantasy books, and who don't mind when things aren't explained.
I might give the second book a shot when it comes out, but I'm not eagerly awaiting it.
Unfortunately, the protagonist in the story is kept in the dark about her husband's backstory, and each time she asks about it, we, the readers, are mired more and more in a convoluded tale that is never properly explained. In this way, we feel the same frustration she does. Unfortunately, I don't read books to feel frustrated, so I found the conceit annoying.
The ending of this book is disappointing and confusing. During her husband's "fight within himself" (siiiiiiiiiiiiigh), our hero ends up in a completely different place, and we are left with a "What Will Happen Next?" page.
If the book had been able to maintain the promise of its first thirty or so pages, I would be recommending this book to everyone. It's a cool premise with great art, but the longer the book went, the more disjointed and unnecessarily convoluted it became, and now I would only really recommend it to kids who devour fantasy books, and who don't mind when things aren't explained.
I might give the second book a shot when it comes out, but I'm not eagerly awaiting it.
katieejayne's review against another edition
4.0
Norroway was weird in all the right ways as the vast majority of fantasy graphic novels are. It starts out with the main character being told in her youth by a witch that she will be the bride of the black bull of Norroway whereas her sisters will marry princes and dukes. Not exactly the start any girl dreams of. It gets stranger from there but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Sibylla and the Bull travel throughout different lands collecting certain items for a quest that will hopefully restore the bull to his former state as a man. From there the plot gets kind of muddy which is why this graphic novel didn't get 5 stars. There's no real explanation of how this curse, that affected the bull and his siblings began. Different characters hint at it but their version of the story differs from person to person. I'm hoping that this is something that is revealed as the series goes on.
The other characters that we did meet were so unique and each brought something very different to the story. There was also an awful lot of representation which I loved, as always.
Oh and this has perhaps one of my favourite art styles, ever.
www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
Sibylla and the Bull travel throughout different lands collecting certain items for a quest that will hopefully restore the bull to his former state as a man. From there the plot gets kind of muddy which is why this graphic novel didn't get 5 stars. There's no real explanation of how this curse, that affected the bull and his siblings began. Different characters hint at it but their version of the story differs from person to person. I'm hoping that this is something that is revealed as the series goes on.
The other characters that we did meet were so unique and each brought something very different to the story. There was also an awful lot of representation which I loved, as always.
Oh and this has perhaps one of my favourite art styles, ever.
www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
lizeybee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
Beautifully drawn! Very much a vibe if you’re looking for a Beauty-and-the Beast-type story in a darker vein. I wish some of the characters were more memorable/loveable, but I’m hoping to grow more attached to them in the sequels. Petra the bird is adorable and I want her.
themoonkestrel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
It's a little all. Over the place and skips making you feel like mild whiplash. Mentions names of people that never had names in the beginning near the end and just keeps you wondering what they're talking about.
At times the main character was extremely frustrating. But it is nice art and an interesting story. It could be a lot better in pacing and deciding what to actually focus on.
At times the main character was extremely frustrating. But it is nice art and an interesting story. It could be a lot better in pacing and deciding what to actually focus on.
gemmalovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
barnes_and_nobles_girl's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! I don't know if this is based off the same story I read as a kid but either way it's fantastic.
alexao's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25