On the Shelf: Fables

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

FABLES (SERIES) | BILL WILLINGHAM | VERTIGO | 2002 - PRESENT

When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose's ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk-climber.

I've been reading the Fables series for a couple of years now (I'm late to the series and I've been slowly making my way through the volumes - I was too late to buy the individual comics and I'm one of those people who needs to have a complete collection). I recently finished the 15th volume, Rose Red, and I loved it so much that I decided it was time to share the series with those of you who haven't read it before.

If you've never read comics or graphic novels before, this is the perfect series to start with. Especially if you like fairy tales. Willingham's series weaves fairy tale life into modern day New York and gives a realistic backstory to all of your favourite childhood characters. You'll love some and really hate others (seriously, Prince Charming is a smarmy bastard).

Every volume in this series has been a great read. The most recent volume I read focused on the backstory of Snow White and Rose Red. I generally like the issues that explain the history of the fairy tale characters (I'm a big fan of folklore), but the "modern day" events are equally as compelling.

I highly recommend giving this series a try. Reading the first volume won't take any time at all and you may just get yourself hooked. It's a necessary read for all children at heart who want to explore adult issues. Warning: this series is not for children.

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On the Shelf: The Golden Twine

Monday, 19 November 2012

THE GOLDEN TWINE (BOOK #1 OF CAT'S CRADLE) | JO RIOUX | KIDS CAN PRESS | 2012

To most, Suri is just an orphan in a traveling caravan. But Suri is determined to prove she has the mettle of a monster tamer. When she unknowingly takes something valuable from a caitsith -- a cat monster -- she will have to quickly harness her powers... if she even has them!

The Golden Twine is a children's graphic novel about Suri, a young orphan who tags along with a traveling caravan even though the owner tries his best to get rid of her. Suri makes money by telling stories about monsters whenever the caravan makes a stop on its tour. However, her real dream is to become a monster tamer. Suri's dream is looked down upon because she is a young girl -- no one believes she has the talent or the strength to perform such an important task. After helping a stranger, whom Suri assumes to be a human boy, carry some material through the woods, she picks up a ball of golden twine that he drops on the ground. She uses this twine to create a necklace, complete with a dragon tooth amulet that, Suri believes, holds special powers. Little does she know, the golden twine is the real magical part of her necklace, causing a trio of caitsiths (one of the monster breeds in the story) to hunt her down in order to get back their magical string.

This graphic novel is targeted to readers aged nine to twelve, but as an adult reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It will appeal to fans of fantasy, adventure, and mystery stories and it is the perfect book to introduce young readers to the graphic novel format. The characters in the story are unique and often adorable. You discover that the monsters really aren't as scary as they seem (well, except for the caitsiths...) and Suri is a protagonist that young readers are sure to love.

I've given this book five stars simply because it's as close to perfect as a children's book can get. The Golden Twine has completely changed my perception on how graphic novels fit into the literary world of a child.

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Excerpt borrowed from jorioux.com. 

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