Review: White Sand, Volume 1 by Brandon Sanderson

White Sand, Volume 1

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Illustrations: Rik Hoskin & Julius M Gopez
Publisher: Dynamic Forces
Series: White Sand #1
Pages: Hardcover, Graphic Novel, 160 pages
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Release Date: June 21st 2016

Summary:

A brand new saga of magic and adventure by #1 New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson. On the planet of Taldain, the legendary Sand Masters harness arcane powers to manipulate sand in spectacular ways. But when they are slaughtered in a sinister conspiracy, the weakest of their number, Kenton, believes himself to be the only survivor. With enemies closing in on all sides, Kenton forges an unlikely partnership with Khriss -- a mysterious Darksider who hides secrets of her own. White Sand brings to life a crucial, unpublished part of Brandon Sanderson's sprawling Cosmere universe. The story has been adapted by Rik Hoskin (Mercy Thompson), with art by Julius Gopez and colors by Ross Campbell. Employing powerful imagery and Sanderson's celebrated approach to magical systems, White Sand is a spectacular new saga for lovers of fantasy and adventure.

Review:

Brandon Sanderson is definitely one of the fantasy world gurus. He can make you imagine things, make you think about the what ifs and whatnots. It's always a delight to see what he comes up with next and you wonder, what would it be like to spend a day inside the man's head. You can imagine my delight when I found out there was going to be a graphic novel released for one of his old, unpublished story in the cosmere. After all, it's like a window to his brain and the kind of creatures and world he builds in there.

White Sand is set in a world where the planet doesn't rotate, thereby, dividing it into two halves. The Dark side and the light side. As the name suggests, the dark side is where the sun never shines and the light side, where it does. What's interesting though is the fact that the people in the dark side are dark skinned and more technology savvy, whereas people in the light side are lighter skinned and more into "magik".

The "magik" in the light side of the world comes from sand. There are a group of people who can master the sand, meaning they can control the sand and even turn it to water. It's quite fascinating and seeing it all in a graphic novel makes it even more alluring.

Not being a big graphic novel nerd, I would agree that I found the change in scenes and locations a bit choppy. I won't say I'm used to it even now. But overall, the characters are interesting as always, the plot, engrossing and the story, a definite read. I do miss the narration and the writing style that's classic Sanderson but I guess you can't have the best of both worlds, eh?



Rating: 

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Deza Zan

by Yoshitaka Amano

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Summary:
In his forty year career, Yoshitaka Amano has illustrated many projects, becoming famous for Final Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D. But never before has Amano written the visions he depicts - never until now! Dark Horse has the honor to publish Deva Zan, Yoshitaka Amano's first fantasy novel as an author as well as an illustrator! An epic ten years in the planning, Amano has made Deva Zan as his personal expression of the legends of Asia for his Western readership. In esotevic Japanese Buddhism, twelve generals - the Juni Jinsho - stood guard over the cosmos at the points of the zodiac. But now they have vanished, and nothing stands between us and the forces of darkness but Deva Zan, a samurai without a memory. To restore order to existence, he must marshal not only his own fighting skill, but find companions that can cross the boundaries of time and space - to join him in a battle that will stretch from the fields of ancient Japan, to the streets of modern New York City - and to dimensions beyond human comprehension!

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
When I finished reading this book, all I could think was how does one review a book like this? Where to start? It's so unique, so different. I wouldn't call this really a graphic novel but on some level it is…. I guess an illustrated novel would be more accurate. Since the story is written in novel style...

The storyline is interesting and unfolds slowly. But it was a bit confusing in the beginning. To be honest I know very little about japanese mythology- so I am not sure if that's the reason for my initial confusion.
As the story of Deva Zan unfolds it becomes multilayered and get deeper and deeper as one reads. I found myself pondering on different questions. Is it right to battle and kill, if the cause is right? Does one desire power for just the sake of power or for a good purpose really? Destiny and choices- how do they correlate?
The story is told beautifully, really like an old fairy tale or like I imagine long ago myth were told to the younger generations around the fire.

The illustrations are mind blowing! Absolutely beautiful. Each a piece of art, each totally unique yet still in Amano's style. They underline the beauty of the story and enhance it.
I didn't expect anything else from Amano but he exceeded my expectations by so much! I knew that I will like the art work . I like his work usually. But this book in my opinion is his master piece so far!

This is the first book where Amano did the art work as well as written the story. And honestly I don't think Amano is going to be a great novelist, but the combinations of the two is what made this an amazing piece of art.

Something to go back to many times, admire and discover details in the artwork and ponder over the story.

I am looking forward to its release so I get my own hard-copy of this!
A must have for lover of illustrations and fans of Amano!!


ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for a honest review. Thank you!



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Alabaster : Wolves (Dancy Flammarion)

by Caitlín R. Kiernan

Release Date: February 13th 2013

Summary:
Dancy Flammarion may look like a frail teenage girl, but her journey through the swamps and byways of the American South brings her into battle with werewolves, monsters, and grotesque secrets, armed only with a knife and a mission to destroy the deadly creatures that lurk in shadow. Collects the five-issue miniseries.

Rating: 3.75 Stars

Review:

Dark and haunting, yet still incredibly delicate and beautiful

This is a collection of the miniseries. I have never before read any of them so it was a first encounter with Dancy for me. At first I thought the story line was rather the usual straight forward dystopian. But then layers were added, pasts were revealed, questions were raised… and it became more and more intriguing.
The question I was left with who was the really monster? The one that was never given a choice and made into one- or the one that brings death in its wake no matter how good the intentions?
The ending was not an ending at all- I am hoping that Kiernan will do another sequel.
The last few pages with the goblin kinda confused me actually. Might be because its an ebook- still I wasn't sure what suddenly happened or where it fits it with the rest of the story.

The thing that definitely does make this a fantastic graphic novel is the art work.
The art work is beautiful!The ink and pencil work really good. The colors are incredibly well chose for the mood of the story.
In fact there are many amazing details in the art work that underline the story line.

The novel is beautifully dark and haunting. At first glance a dystopian paranormal that is beautifully illustrated but with hidden depth that slowly unfold and leave one thinking. While it has powerful fight scenes and horror in it, it also has a gentle and surprisingly subtle side to it.

Definitely a must for lovers of this genre!

artwork  4.5stars
storyline 3.5stars



ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for a honest review. Thank you!







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