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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This was a nice prequel to the Bone series. You see many of the characters in Bone show up here – Rose, the Red Dragon, the Locust King, and the stupid, stupid rat creatures (my favorite!). Even in 150 pages, you get a nice story arc and introduction to the characters. It would probably be enjoyable even if you hadn’t read the Bone series, but it’s even better if you have. I’m tempted to go back and read Bone since it’s been a while. I want to be reminded of what happened to all those characters.
I’m not a big fan of the art, though. The artist had a real problem with people, and their neck and heads. The creatures and backgrounds were nice, but don’t look too close at the people’s faces.
I’m not a big fan of the art, though. The artist had a real problem with people, and their neck and heads. The creatures and backgrounds were nice, but don’t look too close at the people’s faces.
Wouldn't hold up as a stand alone, and even with the backstory I have from the Bone series, this prequel is a bit too far remote for my taste. It would be better if it referenced events that the original series had flashbacks or references to- at one point I think there was some of it, but without the backing of the whole Bone canon it is a bit weak.
The characters who are present in the Bone canon also have extremely different personalities, since they are much younger here, but that just alientates them more. For example, Rose (Gran'ma Ben) acted like a mix of Smiley Bone and Thorn, which was obviously disconcerting.
Also, I can't help but think of tell don't show, a rule of cartooning that I like to refer to- In the series, there were very small, dream flashbacks to how Rose used to look, and references to stuff she did when she was Queen, and it was more exciting and cool to imagine the Valley "back in the day" then it was to actually see it "back in the day."
At first I was excited for the art, and while the colors are pretty fantastic, I think I prefer the normal art from the series better. And in some panels Rose's face looked terrifying, idk how this illustration did it but sheeeesh.
Ah, oh well.
The characters who are present in the Bone canon also have extremely different personalities, since they are much younger here, but that just alientates them more. For example, Rose (Gran'ma Ben) acted like a mix of Smiley Bone and Thorn, which was obviously disconcerting.
Also, I can't help but think of tell don't show, a rule of cartooning that I like to refer to- In the series, there were very small, dream flashbacks to how Rose used to look, and references to stuff she did when she was Queen, and it was more exciting and cool to imagine the Valley "back in the day" then it was to actually see it "back in the day."
At first I was excited for the art, and while the colors are pretty fantastic, I think I prefer the normal art from the series better. And in some panels Rose's face looked terrifying, idk how this illustration did it but sheeeesh.
Ah, oh well.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the story was interesting. I haven't read the other Bone books yet but now I would like to read them. I would like to know more about what happens to the sisters, Rose and Briar. I'm not sure where the story picks up in the next book and I am curious to learn. I have already reserved it at my public library so I can read it soon.
This one was OK, but I’m used to the other Bone books. This was a good intro about the sisters and a few other key characters, but wasn’t my favorite.
This is a prequel for a series I've not read, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. I found the story to be fairly standard. I wanted to love the illustrations, but Vess seemed to inconsistently draw his characters' faces, especially Rose. And the design of the Great Red Dragon seemed incongruous with the rest of the world's design. I did like the background and landscape illustrations, though.
two things: one, this book was... fine, but not great. The art is catch as catch can, and the story predictable and entirely lacking the charm the Old Rose has in the earlier/later books.
two: it clearly was meant to be printed larger. The text is, in some places, nigh impossible to distinguish.
two: it clearly was meant to be printed larger. The text is, in some places, nigh impossible to distinguish.
If you had a pet named Cleo that you put to sleep in the past six months like I did, you may want to give this one a pass.
Seeing as how this says it's a prequel, I decided that I would read it before I read the series. I really enjoyed how the story was an adventure, and I loved the relationship between Rose and Briar. I also loved the style of the artwork.
Inessential prequel. There are some nice moments and it was great to be back in Smith's world, but I couldn't help but miss the Bones.