Tag: Claudia Gray

REVIEW: House of El: The Enemy Delusion by Claudia Gray

REVIEW: House of El: The Enemy Delusion by Claudia Gray

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher, DC Entertainment, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Sera and Zahn have stolen a data device from Jor-El and Lara, looking for answers about the experiments done to Sera. But there’s far more on the data solid than they can imagine.

Meanwhile, both are struggling to fit in with their old friends. They are distracted, not only by the mysteries they are trying to solve but also by the feelings growing between them. While Sera and Zahn were born into vastly different worlds, they are finding in each other someone who truly understands them.

As Sera and Zahn look for answers and explore the romantic side of their relationship, the “terrorists” known as Midnight are getting more bold about their plans to bring change to Krypton. And no one will believe who is truly in charge of that rebel group.

Review

Another fantastic Superman-adjacent graphic novel! I really enjoyed book one, The Shadow Threat, and this second chapter of the story is just as strong.

I love that Sera and Zahn are the focus of this story rather than Jor-El or Lara or Zod. They bring a fresh perspective to the Krypton story. I can’t wait for the third book in this series. Even though I know where things are headed, I can’t wait to see how all of the mythology we know weaves around these original characters to create a new, fresh story. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Star Wars The High Republic Sampler

REVIEW: Star Wars The High Republic Sampler

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this sampler from Netgalley and Disney Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Star Wars The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland – Summary and Impressions

The sampler included 3 chapters from this middle grade novel starring new Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh. Vernestra is on her first mission for the Jedi Council. It’s glorified babysitting – protecting a senator’s daughter – but she’s determined to do a good job. But Avon Starros is full of mischief and trouble, especially when it comes to her inventions.

The first three chapters in this sample introduce Vernestra, Avon, her protocol droid J-6, and Honesty, the son of a Dalnan ambassador. I thought the characters were interesting. Avon was probably my favorite of these few. She’s spunky, bright, and bored – a combination perfect for an adventure. When the action of the story kicks off, she will be a character to watch. While the sampler didn’t get into any of that action, I was intrigued enough by the introduction that I would read the whole book to see what happens and how these new characters interact and develop through the story.

 

Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray – Summary and Impressions

The sampler included 3 chapters from this YA novel starring Jedi Padawan Reath Silas. Reath’s master has taken a new assignment in the middle of nowhere. Reath is not a fan. He’s always fallen on the more sedate side of the Jedi Temple. He’d rather do hours of research in the Archives than get into a light saber battle. He’d rather not be leaving the Temple at all. Master Jora will be in charge of the Starlight Beacon. Reath is traveling to the Beacon with an eclectic group of Jedi, each dealing with personal questions and dilemmas.

Sadly, this had a dry beginning that didn’t really grab my attention. If I had the full book, I would have pushed farther to see if things started clicking when the action amped up. I was also startled toward the end of the first chapter, after Reath had been the POV character for several pages, to have the POV suddenly shift to each of the other characters he is traveling with. That changing POV will be important to understanding the secrets each is keeping, but in the reading it felt abrupt and disorienting. Usually books will insert some sort of page break or change chapters when changing POV characters, but that was not the case in my electronic sampler. This may be clearer in the full, published version of the novel.

I’m not sure that I would go out of my way to read the full novel. The teaser just didn’t grab my attention.  I am intrigued by the connections between Reath and the main Jedi character in the middle grade novel, Vernestra, though. They are contemporaries at least, which is interesting. If I enjoy Vernestra’s story enough, that could draw me into reading this one.

REVIEW: House of El: The Shadow Threat by Claudia Gray

REVIEW: House of El: The Shadow Threat by Claudia Gray

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Krypton might be a technological marvel, but it has problems the same as any other planet. Their leaders are arrogant and prideful about their advancements. They refuse to acknowledge anything could possibly go wrong with their plans. The lower castes are cannon fodder, like the soldiers who routinely put themselves in harm’s way, expecting not to survive. Then the elite citizens can maintain their delusions of superiority and their sense of security. Their hubris will be their undoing.

Zahn of the elite House of Re and a soldier named Sera-Ur are at the center of this story. They see the truths their leaders deny and the general populace ignores. Krypton’s terraforming efforts are failing. The home world is in serious trouble. Working together, Zahn and Sera may be able to put the pieces together and figure out what is truly happening and what can be done to save Krypton.

Review

This is very clever! I’m not a Superman super fan, so I don’t know how much of this is canon and what is created for this particular story. My impression has been that Krypton was some sort of utopia. But this paints a different picture. And I was captivated by the idea of a flawed Krypton – genetic engineering, a caste system, arrogant and ineffectual leaders, rebellion. This was NOT the Krypton I was expecting. It was far more interesting.

I enjoyed references to Jor-El, General Zod, and the Phantom Zone, but this is really Zahn and Sera’s story. And I liked that. They are a function of their place in the caste system and upbringing. But the story reveals there are other factors in play which I really liked. There are some philosophical issues introduced here that would be fun to discuss with other readers.

This ends on a major cliffhanger that left me grasping for the next installment. I was drawn in by the whole story. Part two will be a must read for me.

I enjoyed the design of Krypton in the art. The illustration style is not my preferred style, but it’s well done. And the graphics tie perfectly into the story. DC fans should NOT miss this one!

The folks at DC Entertainment graciously provided a couple sample pages so you can see the artwork in this book:

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great! Might re-read.