Review: 85. The Color of Heaven by Kim Dong Hwa...

I couldn't wait to finish Kim Dong Hwa's Color of Earth series...

Title: The Color of Heaven (The Color of Earth #3)
Author: Kim Dong Hwa
ISBN-13: 9781596434608
Paperback: 310 pages
Publisher: First Second, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
Ehwa is now seventeen, and waiting for Duksam to return--he is off fishing, to make money so he can come back and marry her. While he's away though, she's beset by doubts--will he really come back for her? And as she's maturing into womanhood, her relationship with her mother also matures. After all, they're both waiting for their men to come back.

I loved watching Ehwa growing up and learning about life and love in this beautifully drawn series from Kim Dong Hwa. The cultural traditions and nuances are right up my alley, and the emotions are not unfamiliar to anyone who's ever had a crush or been in love.

drey's rating: Excellent! Definitely pick this series up for the beautiful artwork and the lyrical storytelling.

Review: 70. The Color of Water by Kim Dong Hwa...

I really enjoyed Kim Dong Hwa's The Color of Earth when I picked it up on a whim, so I went looking for the other books in this graphic novel trilogy.

Title: The Color of Water (The Color of Earth #2)
Author: Kim Dong Hwa
ISBN-13: 9781596434592
Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: First Second, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts:
In The Color of Water, Ehwa is now sixteen. She meets Duksam, and spends her free time daydreaming about him and about love. Is he the one for her? When his employer sees her, though, the old lech decides to set the matchmaker to pursue Ehwa's hand in marriage.

In the meantime, Ehwa's mother still pines for the picture man, as Ehwa pines for Duksam. And all of the longing, and the joy when they are able to see each other, is delicately drawn in this beautiful graphic novel.

As in The Color of Earth there's a lot of cultural nuances in The Color of Water, along with the explanations. The artwork and dialog are spare and simple, but completely beautiful. I am glad I picked this up, and will return for The Color of Heaven to find out where Ehwa's story goes from here...

drey's rating: Excellent!

Review: 57. The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa...

I picked this one up on a whim the last time I was at the library, and now I'm hoping I remember where from so I can get the next two!

Title: The Color of Earth (The Color of Earth #1)
Author: Kim Dong Hwa
ISBN-13: 9781596434585
Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: First Second, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library


drey's thoughts:
I love the cover of The Color of Earth, and it's the reason I even picked it up at all. Then I opened the book and was swept away by the captivating story of a little girl who is growing up and learning about love and life.

Ehwa is seven years old when we meet her, and she's found out that the villagers in her town can be cruel and thoughtless, men can be pigs, and little girls don't have the same parts as little boys... Two years later she wonders about babies, her widowed mother falls in love, and she meets a shy young monk. We follow along as Ehwa navigates her way through the changes in her body and the unfamiliar pangs of infatuation and young love.

The art is simply drawn, yet evocative of the Ehwa's feelings. There were pages where I could just tell where she was at emotionally, without reading any of the words on the page. Which would've been a pity, as the words themselves flow together beautifully. I loved the characters, I loved the artwork, and I loved the story.

drey's rating: Outstanding! I'm going to pick up The Color of Water for one of my travel reads next week.

Lookee here! It's the first 5 pages of Richelle Mead's Storm Born graphic novel!

O.M.G. Do I have some pictures for you!! Thanks to Sea Lion Books, here are the first 5 pages of the first issue of Richelle Mead's Storm Born graphic novel! Enjoy (& try not to drool all over your computer...)!!

Storm Born #1 cover

Storm Born #1 page 1

Storm Born #1 page 2

Storm Born #1 page 3

Storm Born #1 page 4

Storm Born #1 page 5

Press Release: Sea Lion Books' Repairman Jack graphic novels!

Sea Lion Books has another announcement to share with you--F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series. I haven't checked these out yet, but it sure does look interesting!

The announcement:

ATLANTA, GA – March 25, 2011 – Sea Lion Books announces the acquisition of the comic book and graphic novel rights to F. Paul Wilson’s young adult novels Jack: Secret Histories, Jack: Secret Circles and Jack: Secret Vengeance. The books form a prequel trilogy to the New York Times bestselling author’s Repairman Jack novels, and not only explore the background of the adventurous problem solver, but also provide clues to the origins of the “Secret History of the World” that forms the nexus of the Repairman Jack universe. Scripted by Wilson himself, the adaptations will feature new material not found in the novels.

"We are thrilled to bring F. Paul Wilson's Jack: Secret Histories, Jack: Secret Circles and Jack: Secret Vengeance series of young adult books to graphic novel form,” said Derek Ruiz, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Sea Lion Books. "Our partnership with F. Paul Wilson is another step in the right direction for Sea Lion Books, with our continued desire to bring the best of the best to the graphic novel market."

Fans of the Repairman Jack series have long wanted to know where the character began; that story begins in Jack: Secret Histories. As Wilson explained, "The series follows the adventures of a 14-year-old boy named Jack, his best friend Louise ‘Weezy’ Connell, and her brother Eddie. Jack will grow into the mercenary known as Repairman Jack, but here in 1983, he is just a boy with a destiny." That destiny includes a knack for “repairing” situations, whether it’s dealing with the troublesome teens who destroyed a neighbor’s lawn—or protecting his friends and family from the dangers presented by the mysterious Ancient Septimus Fraternal Order.

Jack is a kid nobody knows—not his parents, not his few friends, not even Jack.

"Jack thinks he's a regular kid,” Wilson said, “but forces of destiny are swirling around him, drawing strange people to his little town, which is situated on the edge of the mysterious and fabled New Jersey Pine Barrens, where strange lights jump from tree to tree and the Jersey Devil supposedly roams."

It’s the perfect setting for the story of a boy destined to do great things—and for a dynamic graphic novel series.

Jack: Secret Histories #1, adapted by F. Paul Wilson and artist Jorge Correa Jr, is scheduled to debut later this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
F. Paul Wilson was born and raised in New Jersey where he spent hours reading Uncle Scrooge and E.C. comics, Lovecraft, Matheson, Bradbury, and Heinlein. Listening to radio programs featuring Chuck Berry and Alan Freed, and spending hours watching Soupy Sales and Shock Theatre with Zacherley on television. His writing awards include the first Prometheus Award in 1979; the Porgie Award from The West Coast Review of Books; the 1999 Bram Stoker Award for short fiction; the Inkpot Award from the San Diego ComiCon and the Pioneer Award from the RT Booklovers Convention. F. Paul Wilson is on the young adult recommended reading lists of the American Library Association and the New York Public Library, among others; and is listed in the 50th anniversary edition of Who's Who in America. You visit F. Paul Wilson on the Internet at http://repairmanjack.com/.


ABOUT SEA LION BOOKS:
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Sea Lion Books LLC is a newly established publishing house which specializes in all formats—hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market and in urban fantasy and young adult genres. Sea Lion Books LLC recent roster of authors include: International Bestselling author, Paulo Coelho, New York Times Bestselling authors, Richelle Mead and Richard A. Knaak plus more to be announced in the upcoming months. Contact David Dabel at 770-696-3452 or David@sealionbooks.com. You can visit Sea Lion Books on the Internet at http://www.sealionbooks.com.

Copyright 2011, Sea Lion Books. All Rights reserved.

All trademarks and titles are the property of their respective owners.

The statements contained within this document are considered "forward-looking statements"

and may not reflect upon the actual future performance of Sea Lion Books.

And, here are some graphics to enjoy:

Richelle Mead's Storm Born graphic novel is coming!

Have you read Richelle Mead's Dark Swan series? I haven't, even though I do have Storm Born on my nook... Finding free time is getting ridiculously difficult for me these days. :(

BUT!! I did want to share that Storm Born is being adapted into a graphic novel, and the first issue comes out May 18th! Read on for the announcement from Sea Lion Books, and some artwork...

The announcement:

ATLANTA, GA - March 22, 2011– In the novel Storm Born, first in the popular Dark Swan urban fantasy series, Richelle Mead—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Vampire Academy and the Georgia Kincaid Series—introduced fans of paranormal romance to Eugenie Markham, a freelance shaman who battles the ghosts and fey that sneak into our world from the Otherworld.

Today, Sea Lion Books is proud to announce scripter Grant Alter and artist Dave Hamann as the multitalented creative team behind the graphic novel adaptation of Richelle Mead's Dark Swan: Storm Born. When an alarming prophecy suddenly makes her every Otherwordly creature's object of desire, Eugenie must dodge their advances while also fighting a dark power rising within her.

Grant Alter was the co-writer (with Derek Ruiz) on Dean Koontz’ Fear Nothing, a graphic novel adaptation by the New York Times bestselling author. His other scripting projects include an adaptation of the Jim Butcher short story “Restoration of Faith,” which appeared in the graphic novel Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files: Storm Front.

"Richelle has written a book with a really nice mix of action, romance, the otherworldly, and even a good amount of humor,” Alters said. “It's just a fun book to read. The quality of her work pushes me to write what I think are some of the best scripts I have ever written."

Graphic artist Dave Hamann’s projects include Amory Wars for Evil Ink Comics, Gauze for Arcana Comics, and Zenescope's Grimm Fairy Tales. As a fan of the Dark Swan series, he wants to remain faithful to Mead’s story, and to her lead character, Eugenie. "I'm hard-pressed to think of too many urban comics starring a strong, butt-kicking, female shamanic mercenary."

"Grant and Dave have done a really amazing job in capturing Eugenie's story. It's been wonderful working with them, and I can't wait to see what fans think of the final product. I hope they love it as much as I do," said Richelle Mead.

Richelle Mead’s Dark Swan: Storm Born, Issue 1 will be released May 18th in comic book stores nationwide. Comic book stores can be found by going to the Comic Book Shop Locator or by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time. Her adult series are published by Kensington Books. The Georgina Kincaid Series (Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, Succubus Dreams, and Succubus Heat), Dark Swan Series (Storm Born and Thorn Queen) and YA series, Vampire Academy, (Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, and Spirit Bound). You can visit Richelle Mead on the Internet at http://www.richellemead.com.

ABOUT SEA LION BOOKS: Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Sea Lion Books LLC is a newly established publishing house which specializes in all formats—hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market and in urban fantasy and young adult genres. Sea Lion Books LLC recent roster of authors include: International Bestselling author, Paulo Coelho, New York Times Bestselling authors, Richelle Mead and Richard A. Knaak plus more to be announced in the upcoming months. Contact David Dabel at 770-696-3452 or David@sealionbooks.com. You can visit Sea Lion Books on the Internet at http://www.sealionbooks.com.

Copyright 2011, Sea Lion Books. All Rights reserved.

All trademarks and titles are the property of their respective owners.

The statements contained within this document are considered

"forward-looking statements"

and may not reflect upon the actual future performance of Sea Lion Books.

And now, for the graphics. Enjoy!

Richelle Mead incentive cover

Richelle Mead regular cover

40. The New Brighton Archeological Society by Mark Andrew Smith...

Title: The New Brighton Archeological Society Book One: THE CASTLE OF GALOMAR
Author: Mark Andrew Smith and Matthew Weldon
ISBN-13: 9781582409733
Publisher: Image Comics, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of The New Brighton Archeological Society was provided by the author for this review. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

About the book:

Out of the ashes of misfortune will rise the next generation of great adventurers!

After their parents are lost on an archeological expedition, four children begin to unlock the secrets of their parents' mysterious lives, discovering a hidden world of mystical artifacts, mythical creatures, and arcane knowledge. Soon they find themselves drawn into a conflict over a great library that has kept two kingdoms at war for centuries, the children must save an enchanted forest, the birthplace of magic itself. Join us as these children become the latest members of the fabled New Brighton Archeological Society, and take their first steps towards their true destiny!

drey's thoughts:
First things first, the reason there are two covers: The larger one on the top left is the actual cover on my copy, and a lovely cover it is, too... The smaller one on the right is the cover that you see when you search for the title (although to be fair, I only searched on Google). Ok, so now that that's out of the way...

When I was first approached to review The New Brighton Archeological Society, I thought, cool! Then I wondered if I even knew how to review a graphic novel. I mean, the last time I looked at one was decades ago. Like, seriously.

But I liked the artwork, and said yes! And I'm glad I did. The children are two sets of siblings--Cooper and Joss, Becca and Benny--and they are adorable. And (mostly) fearless, as children usually are. Orphaned when their parents die in an expedition, the children are sent to live with their godparents, the Macombers. And just like in The Chronicles of Narnia, the children find themselves on an adventure. They run into fairies, goblins, gain a pet slug, run from vampires that speak Chinese (what did those characters say, anyway?)...

The story is fun and engaging, but some parts might be a bit scary for a younger child (like my just-turned-7-year-old, who thinks there are zombies in his closet so he makes his best friend sleep closest to the closet when they're having a sleepover; even though he really doesn't believe in zombies). The artwork is really pretty cool, and I think that's probably all I'm qualified to say at this point! Pick this up for a fun read to share with your kids, or just to check it out yourselves.

Check out some of the artwork at Major Spoilers

drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good


Challenges: 100+