Library books

Here I am on vacation, determined to clear the massive backlog of random media I’ve consumed but not written about.  Let’s see how I do.

You Must Take Part in Revolution

Borrowed from the library, this is a graphic novel by Melissa Chan and Badiucao is about a dark near future where China and the United States are on the brink of nuclear war.  Not hard to imagine.  It follows a small group of friends figuring out how to best fight and survive against the Chinese regime.  The concept is solid (which is what led me to borrow it in the first place), but the execution is lacking.  Not something that leaves a lasting impression.

Regret reading: No

Would read again: No

Would buy: No

Rating: Boring/Stupid

Phantom Scientist

Borrowed from the library.  I keep trying graphic novels by the non-major publishers, hoping for something good.  I’m so rarely impressed, but I can’t keep myself from persevering.  Phantom Scientist, by Robin Cousin, is another unfortunate miss.  Like You Must Take Part, the elevator pitch hooked me.  A collection of top-level scientists is called together at a remote facility to conduct whatever research they want.  But something about the scenario has been engineered to inevitably fail with catastrophic results, a la the multiple iterations of Zion in The Matrix.  

It’s a great setup, but the mystery ultimately dissolves into a nonsensical ending with no satisfying explanation.  I felt like my time was wasted.

Regret reading: No

Would read again: No

Would buy: No

Rating: Disliked

Beast Boy

Beast Boy Loves Raven

Robin

Starfire

I’d heard so many good things about this YA series by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo, it was an easy borrow when I saw Beast Boy on the shelf at the library.  The subsequent volumes were easy borrows (though I didn’t care enough about Raven as a character to go back and start from the first book).  

This is a well-told reboot of the Teen Titans.  By spreading out the story across multiple books, Garcia and Picolo have time to give everyone their time in the spotlight, making them sympathetic and likable (even Damian).  That’s said, it’s very light fare, and I’m unlikely to revisit these unless I think my daughter will want to check them out in a few years.  At which point I’ll happily pick them up.

Regret reading: No

Would read again: Yes

Would buy: Yes

Rating: Pretty good

I’m Not Starfire

Is the Supergirl mini-series the only thing from Mariko Tamaki that I love?  Have I been hopelessly searching for the next thing from her that resonates as deeply with me?  Or have I completely outgrown stories about kids in high school?  I hope it’s not either one.  

With I’m Not Starfire, I’m not a fan of the moping, emo daughter of Starfire.  Don’t like Yoshi Yoshitani’s art either.  I hope this isn’t in continuity w/ Garcia’s work.

Regret reading: No

Would read again: No

Would buy: No

Rating: Didn’t suck