Graphic Novel Review: Grimoire Noir by Vera Greentea

First Second
Published July 23rd 2019
290 Pages

Bucky Orson is a bit gloomy, but who isn’t at fifteen?

His best friend left him to hang out with way cooler friends, his dad is the town sheriff, and wait for it―he lives in Blackwell, a town where all the girls are witches. But when his little sister is kidnapped because of her extraordinary power, Bucky has to get out of his own head and go on a strange journey to investigate the small town that gives him so much grief. ]

And in the process he uncovers the town’s painful history and a conspiracy that will change it forever.- Goodreads

This book is a problematic fave but it is really hard for me to actually say that because there was an extreme party foul within this book that left a bad taste in my mouth and even thinking about it, I am feeling some type of way. But let me start with what was my fave part of this book.

The story was really good. I loved the fact that it does the trope where there was a problem in the past and the solution has now become a problem in the current time. I loved the artwork. The artwork was extremely detailed, moving and the colors were perfect in every scene. It set an amazing mood that sucked you into the novel.

But there were issues. Firstly, there was a lot thrown into this novel and it could have been spaced our better or there could have been better fillers. The author touches upon a lot of characters and history but doesn’t explore them and leaves more questions then answers by time you get to the end of the book. This book could really use another deep dive by the editor to add more content and space to make it a second book.

Bucky was a horrible person. He wasn’t smart enough at all to figure things out and it was handed to him. He didn’t listen to people and he was jealous of the fact that he did not have magical powers. With all of that he had the freaking nerve to accuse people of things and barge into their homes as if he owned the place. The fact that he felt so entitled bugged me out.

Now here is the thing that left a bad taste in my mouth. There were two Black characters (technically 4, 2 were side characters) and both of them were considered evil. No issue with Black characters being villains but if they are the only two Black characters in your book that is a problem. The side characters I had mentioned . . . one was a picture of a Black witch to show that there were Black witches in the past. I 100% believe this was done to show lineage. The other Black character was there to show how evil the main villain was.

The other issue with this is one of the Black characters had to prove she wasn’t evil unless she helped Bucky. And that was bull.

If you are going to be “diverse” then do it well. If there is literally only one Black family in your town, then you need to dip into their history and their story line. You can’t just assume that the reader is not going to notice that you make mention of other Black people but don’t show them. Its disrespectful.

And it was disappointing to read something with a strong story with huge potential but dropped the ball on its characters and its development. Its been a very long time since I have been upset after finishing a book.

Overall,

2.5 Pickles

Book Tour Book Review: The Gilded King by Josie Jaffrey

Self Published
Published June 25, 2018
303 Pages

In the Blue, the world’s last city, all is not well.

Julia is stuck within its walls. She serves the nobility from a distance until she meets Lucas, a boy who believes in fairytales that Julia’s world can’t accommodate. The Blue is her prison, not her castle, and she’d escape into the trees if she didn’t know that contamination and death awaited humanity outside.

But not everyone in the Blue is human, and not everyone can be contained.

Beyond the city’s boundaries, in the wild forests of the Red, Cameron has precious little humanity left to lose. As he searches for a lost queen, he finds an enemy rising that he thought long dead. An enemy that the humans have forgotten how to fight.

One way or another, the walls of the Blue are coming down. The only question is what side you’ll be on when they do. – Goodreads

This is not your typical vampire story and I am here for it. I am just going to jump in and say it that although Julia’s and Cameron’s story are connected (they told separately but trust me its completely fine and works fantastically), I found myself more engaged with Julia’s side than Cameron’s. Normally, I would figure it was due to me be able to empathize with her because she is a human that was dealt with a trash card but I actually liked her beyond that. She had a grit to herself that didn’t completely define her. She was able to still open herself to experiences outside of what she has always known or thought of and it made her an easier and enjoyable character to read.

Cameron was a bit. . . not annoying but a “alright, I get it. You have a chip on your shoulder, you’re trying to find the girl and life sucks.” His emotions became a bit redundant because it was constantly being repeated “I won’t come back until I find her.”

However despite this, I fully enjoyed reading both point of views because they provided, very clearly, details about what was going on each side. Although one side was human and the other vampire, as a reader you are able to sympathize with both of them and understand why things are happening in the way that they are.

The pace of the novel was really good. It was easy to get sucked into the world because you know it is full blown mess with hope of redemption once you meet Julia. The setting was clear and detailed without dragging on. Although I wish more for some more history and intensity, a reader couldn’t go wrong picking up this book.

Overall,

3 Pickles