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Book Review: Robot God Akamatsu by James Biggie, illustrated by Frankie B. Washington

Robot God Akamatsu, Vol. 1  by James Biggie, illustrated by Frankie B. Washington, and lettered by Josh Van Reyk

Zetabella Publishing, 2013

ISBN-13:  9781927384152

Available: Graphic novel hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition

 

Robot God Akamatsu is the first volume of a YA graphic novel series. Back in the days of Atlantis, humanity was protected by the titular Robot God Akamatsu and the three pilots who operated the robot god from a space station orbiting the Earth. To engage the Robot God, they would invoke the term Deus Ex Machina, which translates literally to “god from the machine”.

In the present day, Akamatsu is recovered and brought back online in time to fight his brother, URU. URU is the lord of Kaiju (sea monsters) and is currently exiled to a place called the Abbation plane. Now that Akamatsu has been awoken, URU plots to use the Robot God’s power source to bring URU and his horde of monstrous warriors to Earth. For once, the action all occurs around the city of Boston, and New York City is spared destruction.

This is a very fun graphic novel. I would like to see Biggie and Washington create further installments in the epic battle of Akamatsu and URU. This is recommended for readers of comic books, and lovers of Kaiju and classic robot sci-fi. If you enjoyed Pacific Rim, this is the graphic novel for you. Recommended.

Contains: Comic book mayhem

Reviewed by Benjamin Franz

 

Posted on February 13, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

Schwartz & Wade, 2014

ISBN-13: 978-0385371032

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook, audio download

 

Once humans and ravens were friends, and then one day a desperate raven, told he could achieve immortality by eating human flesh, betrayed a human friend and transformed into a murderous valraven, an immortal bird with an insatiable appetite for gore, but otherwise identical to ordinary ravens.  Unable to tell the difference, human/raven relationships dissolved.  Now, the only way to tell the difference between an ordinary raven and a valraven is by asking a riddle.

This is the background of Gabriel Finley’s story.  Gabriel’s parents have both mysteriously disappeared, leaving with his loving but distracted Aunt Jaz, and a lot of unanswered questions.  When his father’s childhood diary appears, Gabriel begins to discover answers to some of those questions. The desire of the valravens for immortality has tainted his family, which has always had a special relationship with ravens. It is up to Gabriel, Paladin (his new raven friend), and a motley group of companions, to save Gabriel’s father and the world.

The journey Gabriel must take requires all of his wits, for the only way a raven or his companion can be identified as trustworthy is by solving riddles. And there are obstacles in the way—runaway writing desks, thieves, bullies, owls, and tyrannical houseguests. Gabriel’s father taught him to love riddles, though, so he has a fighting chance.

There is so much that feels familiar about Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle.  The boy who leaves home on a quest to find a parent and save the world; travels through a strange, underground world; animal companions; solving puzzles and riddles; selflessness that saves the day. All these are familiar tropes in a children’s fantasy adventure story, and at times certain aspects reminded me of other books I’ve read: Gregor the Overlander also includes an underground quest to save his father, and animal companions; Chasing Vermeer takes place in a modern school setting, with puzzles and riddles a major part of the story; A Wrinkle in Time depends on selflessness and love to save the day. None of those books are really like Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle, though; instead, Hagen has successfully taken the familiar and made it new, giving us a fresh take. Children aged 9-12 and Harry Potter readers looking for their next fix won’t want to put down this Gothic-touched, magical, contemporary fantasy. Highly recommended.
 
 
Contains: Some gore, violence
 
 
Reviewed by Kirsten Kowalewski

Posted on January 28, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: Sheila: Baby’s First Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Sheila: Baby’s First Zombie Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Bad Day Books, 2014

ISBN- 13:978-1-62827-962-7

Available: Paperback

 

In a genre that seems like its brain must be, by now, completely dead, Brian Malbon has figured out how to keep it not just alive, but interesting. He presents readers with an understated page-turner, using common zombie tropes to his advantage by making several quirky references to film and other well-known works. The massive quantity of existing zombie literature frees Malbon from having to provide detailed backstory; he simply picks up the common thread and continues to his tale. Zombie fiction lovers looking for a gore-filled tale of monster mayhem will want to look elsewhere; this is a human story.

 

Set in Toronto, characters enter at a steady pace, weaving in and out of the threads of micro-plots; the apocalypse creates fast friends, and this is what keeps Sheila from being ordinary. The main story is about Wendell, an antihero who, having lost his pregnant wife to zombies, is placed in charge of an infant, Sheila. The baby gives Wendell a reason to live, and the situation provides a great platform for Malbon’s humor and obvious sensitivity. The solution to their isolation is a hook-up with a band of young teens. This gives Wendell a realistic chance to grow, and prove his courage and survival skills, despite constant, palpable self-doubt.

 

Sheila is a true crossover, (adult/young adult), and it’s an enjoyable break from the gore and other adult-only content of many horror works. Malbon’s style is quick and vibrant, and he has an interesting timing mechanism; there are several suspenseful cliffhangers, and he got me every time. He’s clearly setting up for a series, and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.   Recommended for 13 and up

 

Contains: light profanity

 

Reviewed by Sheila Shedd

 

Posted on January 26, 2015 by , 2 comments
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