Dover Graphic Novel Classics: Dracula (Bram Stoker, adapted by John Green... not that one)

Release Date: November, 19th 2014  

Synopsis:
Readers will be spellbound by this graphic novel version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The granddaddy of all the modern vampire stories, the immortal tale unfolds in a gripping journey into the past that recounts a Victorian-era struggle against ancient evil. Original illustrations add an extra allure to this easy-to-read edition. This Dover Graphic Novel Classic offers readers ages 8 and up an exciting introduction to a time-honored tale. Expertly abridged and packed with dramatic illustrations, this version offers a streamlined narrative that retains all of the storytelling essentials.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Another graphic novel/manga adaptation of a classic tale.
I have never read the original book by Bram Stoker, but I have wanted to for years. For this same reason, I feel like I can't judge this graphic novel as an adaptation of Dracula, because I don't know it in its raw, original form, so I am going to review it based on what it is, and how much I enjoyed it as an independent graphic novel (of course I will still mention briefly how I think this was adapted, but only with what I know of the original).
This was a very (very) short adaptation, perfect to see if the story itself interests you, or to flip through if you have read the actual book.
I found the illustrations to be amazing, and very graphic, in the sense that you could almost feel the cold emanating from the vampires in the story. As a graphic novel about vampires, I believe the black and white illustrations worked really well. And even though I would have appreciated if it were a bit longer, I think that, overall, the story was conveyed quite well and the adaptation by not-the-fault-in-our-stars-John Green was successful to a certain extent.
A short review for a short book, but this definitely inspired me to go out and read the classic vampire story and see for myself how scary and gruesome vampires originally were.

Sorako (Takayuki Fujimura)

Synopsis:
GEN Manga is Indie Manga from the Tokyo Underground.
GEN Manga was made to give fans an exclusive look at real doujinshi, otherwise known as indie manga, that they had heard about, but until now, unable to get their hands on.
In its essence, doujinshi is manga traded among other manga artists. Manga for manga lovers!
Sorako lives an ordinary life. And this is an ordinary story. She has friends and family, loves her dog, thinks about life, and occasionally looks for work (kinda). These are the adventures into a typical girl's life.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Like I have mentioned before, I am not used at all to the Manga/Comic Book style of writing and reading experience, so this was a new adventure for me.
Yet again, this isn't a big action kind of book. It is a manga about a normal girl living her life, through heartbreaks, lost dogs and part-time jobs. And I must say that made her sound very real. She was a real person.
The art gave this a very special touch: it was so perfect, almost surreal, but that, somehow, made me feel like I was actually looking at real-life situations of a selected group of people. Everything was so beautifully drawn I actually wished I could be in there.
Now, although I really enjoyed this book, it had a couple of flaws I can't overlook. First (and I believe this might be my problem, not the story's), I couldn't relate to the main character at all: yes, she felt like a real person, but not exactly a very likeable real person. I felt she was kind of naïve and I couldn't like her personality and the majority of her actions at all.
Also, most of the story was very confusing. I reckon it lacked a logical sequence of events and a little more explanation on what was going on. I guess this could be a characteristic of mangas and comic books, but I still felt it had potential to be a little bit more than it ended up being.
With all that, I still very much recommend this to manga fans and I will definitely be continuing my manga/comic book adventure.

Soppy - A Love Story (Philippa Rice)

Release Date: December, 2nd 2014  

Synopsis:
The wildly popular web comic SOPPY--with more than half a million notes on Tumblr--is the illustrated love story of author Philippa Rice and her real-life boyfriend. True love isn't always about the big romantic gestures. Sometimes it's about sympathizing with someone whose tea has gone cold or reading together and sharing a quilt. When two people move in together, it soon becomes apparent that the little things mean an awful lot. The throwaway moments in life become meaningful when you spend them in the company of someone you love.
SOPPY is Philippa Rice's collection of comics and illustrations based on real-life moments with her boyfriend. From grocery shopping to silly arguments and snuggling in front of the television, SOPPY captures the universal experience of sharing a life together, and celebrates the beauty of finding romance all around us.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
I have only read two graphic novels in my life and they were, for the most part, great experiences. Why it took me so long to read another one remains a mystery to me. But I am glad I found this one.
First of all, this isn't an adventure story, an epic quest to safe the kingdom, or even a hero's journey to find love. The characters in this book have already found love and this is their story. Their real story. With hardly any text and fantastic illustrations in white, black and red, we find here the simple story of two people that decided to share their lives with each other. That is what I really loved about this: besides being based on the author's real relationship, they show a side of romance we don't usually see in books: we never get to look at those little moments where nothing happens, yet so much occurs. I was immediately drawn by that, when I first saw this, and it fascinated me to think that a book could actually be made of pure love, nothing else, and still make us feel like we are reading something meaningful and beautiful.
And, although it was a very fast book to read and look trough, I still had the feeling that I traveled trough the years with this couple and it made me feel like I was part of an even bigger adventure than the one I mention in the beginning. The best words I can think of to summarize this review are 'cute', 'lovely', 'sweet', 'funny', 'sad'... and maybe 'soppy'.
I seriously recommend this to anyone who's feeling down and just wants a simple, quick pick-me-up to brighten their day.

A Song for Ella Grey (David Almond)

Release Date: October, 2nd 2014

Synopsis:
A lyrical teenage love story inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Set in the urban landscape and coastal headlands of the North East of England, David Almond brings his legendary storytelling to this heart-breaking tale, giving it the intoxicating urgency and absolute beauty he is so admired for.
"I'm the one who's left behind. I'm the one to tell the tale. I knew them both... knew how they lived and how they died."
Claire is Ella Grey's best friend. She's there when the whirlwind arrives on the scene: catapulted into a North East landscape of gutted shipyards; of high arched bridges and ancient collapsed mines. She witnesses a love so dramatic it is as if her best friend has been captured and taken from her. But the loss of her friend to the arms of Orpheus is nothing compared to the loss she feels when Ella is taken from the world. This is her story - as she bears witness to a love so complete; so sure, that not even death can prove final.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, at all. I had never heard of the author or one of his books, so I really went into it blind. For that reason, I was so pleasantly surprised with what I encountered. As soon as I started reading it, I couldn't put it down...
While I was reading it, I didn't know where I was, who I was and what people around me were saying. I felt only what the characters felt, particularly what Claire felt, and I was where they were, did what they did.
Most of the characters were so likable and it was very easy to connect with Claire and Ella and feel empathy for them. Ella and Orpheus, especially were so interesting to read about, such fascinating characters. You can't help but love them and wish you understood what they were expressing. Then, on the other side, was Claire. Her affection for Ella is almost palpable and it brought tears to my eyes how she talked about her best friend and when we could see her relationship with her evolve.
I still have so much to say about this book, and yet I feel like I can't say enough. I think the best way I can find to describe the experience of reading this book is what I think being in a dream must feel like. Nothing was real, yet everything felt as if I'd been there myself. It was youth in a book, I think. I felt young, I felt alive and, at the same time, I felt dead, paralysed at the beautiful, incredible writing still. I was wraped by the arms of David Almond's magnificent, profound words and the hidden depths of the story.
In fact, throughout the book I found a lot of quotes that I thought explained this book to perfection, but this was, I believe, the one that stuck with me the most, and completely summarizes this review: «He sang for us and played for us and made us feel... But there's no words for what he made us feel.»
I really can't get over how much I loved 'A Song for Ella Grey' and I don't think I ever will, and I really don't mind. It was exactly the book I needed and it has become one of my favourites. I honestly changed my life and my view on so many things. I will definitely be getting a physical copy of this book, so I can have it and hold it and love it and read it over and over and over.

Manga Classics: Les Misérables (Victor Hugo, Stacy King, Tszmei Lee)

Synopsis:
The first release in UDON's new Manga Classics line!
Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo's classic novel of love & tragedy during the French Revolution is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition!
The gorgeous art of TseMei Lee brings to life the tragic stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the beautiful Fantine, in this epic adaptation of Les Miserables!

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest opinion.
I must admit that I have never read a manga, but when I saw this one I knew I couldn't pass it out. Although I have not read the original book yet, I have seen many adaptations and I am glad I found this one.
After a few minutes of trying to work my way into the vibe of manga books, as well as its peculiar way of reading, I finally started it and I didn't put it down until I finished it a few hours later.
I found it to be a very enjoyable read and a great way to ease yourself into the written world of Les Misérables, if you don't want to start with the original monster of a book right away.
I must say, though, that you should have at least a basic knowledge of the story if you want to read this (watch the movies, the musical or other), so it is a lot easier to understand and follow the fast paced plot line.
I believe this was a very well done adaptation of this classic tale. Even though some parallel plots were left unwritten, it showed, in my opinion, exactly the necessary and what makes this a beautiful story.
As for the art, it was just amazing. Not perfect, but amazing. I believe some characters could have benefited if they had been made in a different way. Still, in general, they felt very real... so real it brought tears to my eyes a couple of times.
Finally, without the musical element, we were left, in this book, with an inspirational story, rich with love, loss and regret. I think that is what makes it timeless and what will make this book stay for generations of manga readers to come.