Chad Michael Murray's 'Everlast'

Did you know that Chad Michael Murray, most commonly known for 'One Tree Hill', authored a graphic novel recently? 'Everlast' is currently being toured around BN's across the US. I stumbled upon this video of a bit of Chad's book talk. Credit for the video goes to 'sgrplmfairy88' on youtube.

Review: Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise

Title: Till Death Do Us Bark
Author: Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
Genre: Juvi, supernatural, graphic novel
Perfect for: Readers who have been waiting patiently for the third book (this one!) in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, as well as those who are more inclined to read a book told through illustrations and letters than a traditional book
Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

Taken from Goodreads, "When a dog arrives at Spence Mansion, Seymour is overjoyed. His adoptive parents, Ignatius B. Grumply and Olive C. Spence, are less enthusiastic—especially when Secret, the dog, begins barking all night long. Is it possible Secret just misses his old companion, the late Noah Breth, whose children are fighting like cats and dogs over their father’s money? Or does Secret have a secret that, in the end, will make the entire town of Ghastly howl with delight? This third book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, a runaway mystery told in letters, limericks, a last will, and loose change, is guaranteed to please anyone who’s ever tried to keep a secret."


Ghastly, Illinois is a place I would very much like to visit. It's as much a character in the 43rd Old Cemetery Road books as the old Mr. Grumply, the young Seymour, and resident ghost, Olive. Like the first two books, 'Till Death Do Us Bark' is told in newspapers articles, letters, and illustrations. While I prefer the first two books to this one, 'Till Death Do Us Bark' was still a fun read. The charm and style of these novels will never get old.


The story was more Seymour centered than past novels and the plot was somewhat easy to figure out, but even so, I loved the humorous elements of the story. This novel had some great one liners, especially in regards to the conversations had between human and ghost!


If you have a reluctant reader on your hands, this is the book series to get them. To quote Mary Poppins, it's practically perfect in every way! 'Till Death Do Us Bark' gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Review: Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova

Title: Dramacon: The Ultimate Edition
Author/Artist: Svetlana Chmakova
Genre: Manga, shoujo, graphic novel
Perfect for: comic readers who a)love romantic comedies and b)have ever been to an anime convention!
Star rating: 5/5 stars


Taken from Goodreads, "When amateur writer Christie settles in the artist alley of her first ever anime convention, she sees it only as an opportunity to promote the manga she had started with her artist boyfriend. But when she unexpectedly falls for a mysterious cosplayer, things become very complicated. Because what do you do when you fall in love with someone who is going to be miles away from you in just a couple of days? Web-comic vet and Ignatz Award-nominated creator Svetlana Chmakova gives us a funny, romantic, behind-the-scenes look at an anime convention--where sometimes even two is a crowd!"


'Dramacon: The Ultimate Edition' is a collection of all three volumes of the Dramacon series bound in hardcover with enlarged print. Confession: I have enjoyed many shoujo mangas in the past. Confession: I've been to at least eight anime conventions (if not more). Confession: I love everything about Dramacon!


There are so many good things about this manga style comic. For me, there are three things that make a manga good. They are quality art, strong storytelling, and great characters. Do well with these three things and you have a winning story! 


In my opinion, 'Dramacon' excels at all three elements! Artist/Author Svetlana Chmakova has a great artistic eye. Her characters are adorable and expressive and her images overall always seem to get the message across. Her style is manga inspired, but you can see her own unique style in there, too. The two page spreads in 'Dramacon' are all fantastically drawn.  Take a look!

Story? 'Dramacon' earns high marks in that area, as well. I love the premise of this manga. The story revolves around two people (Christie and Matt) who meet by chance at an anime convention. The convention elements in the story are fantastic. From personal experience, I can say Chmakova captured the typical convention goings-on really well. As far as story elements, 'Dramacon' has a good mix of romance and comedy, making it great shoujo!


And the last thing-- characters... I love the characters in this manga. Christie has some great sarcastic lines and her 'inner thoughts' are fantastic, especially when they completely contradict what she saying out loud! Matt, the hot male lead, is well rounded and really likeable. The secondary characters all have their own little bit to play in the story, as well. The fact that they have a reason to be in the story and even some side storylines of their own, make them a great addition to 'Dramacon'.


So, if I leave you with nothing more than one thing, let it be this. 'Dramacon' is good, clean, fun and if you are at all into shoujo manga or even romantic comedies, you should try this out! It gets 5 out of 5 stars and is available everywhere books are sold!

Forever Favorites Review: Dying to Meet You- 43 Old Cemetery Road by Kate Klise

Title: Dying to Meet You- 43 Old Cemetery Road
Author: Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise
Genre: Juvi, Supernatural, Graphic Novel, Unique
Perfect for: Readers of all ages who are looking for a quick, entertaining read told in newspaper articles, letters, and pictures!

Taken from Goodreads, "Ignatius B. Grumply moves into the Victorian mansion at 43 Old Cemetery Road hoping to find some peace and quiet so he can crack a wicked case of writer's block. But 43 Old Cemetery Road is already occupied by eleven-year-old Seymour, his cat Shadow, and an irritable ghost named Olive. It's hard to say who is more outraged. But a grumpy old ghost just might inspire this grumpy old man--and the abandoned kid? Well, let's just say his last name's Hope.  Sisters Kate and M. Sarah Klise offer up this debut volume in a clever new series told in letters, drawings, newspaper articles, a work-in-progress manuscript, and even an occasional tombstone engraving."


I know what you're thinking-- you're right. This isn't a YA title. However, 'Dying to Meet You' is a fantastically awesome book that won't take too much of your time and will keep your attention due to the unique 'writing' style. As is usual with these 'Forever Favorites', this book fell into my lap. My mom brought it home from the library thinking it looked interesting. Well, she was totally right!


This novel about an old house, a writer, a young boy and his cat, and a ghost is told not through your typical narrative, but through letters, articles, and pictures. You'd think it would be confusing, but in all honesty, it reads quite nicely. It has a level of sophistication in the writing style that is unlike other Juvi titles. Don't worry, while it appeals to the Wimpy Kid audience, it is steps above when it comes to story and writing!


The strengths of this novel come from the simple nature in which the story is told and the amazing way that you can see characters grow, even though it's not told in your traditional narrative style. 'Dying to Meet You' is a true charmer and something that you really should take a look at. It's available at your local bookstore, library, and online. And if you enjoy this title as much as me, check out the sequel, 'Over My Dead Body'.

Review: Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Young Kim

Title: Twilight: The Graphic Novel
Author/Illustrator: Young Kim, Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, YA, Supernatural
Perfect for: Shoujo and Twilight  fans!

I'll be honest, I used to be a Twihard.  I read all the books within a week of their release, went to a few midnight releases, and even have a hardcover (signed) and a paperback (travel copy) of the original printings of "Twilight".  I thought I had overcome this Twihard thing, until I found myself face to face with the fantastic cover of "Twilight: The Graphic Novel".  As well as being a recovered Twihard, I also choose books by covers and this cover drew me in instantly.

Let me start with the story.  If you've read "Twilight", there are no surprises here.  The story follows Bella as she starts life in her fathers home town of Forks.  There she meets Edward Cullen and and her life changes in ways she never imagined.  The graphic novel is adapted quite nicely.  Those who found "Twilight" slow or to 'inside Bella's head' should like its fast paced narrative.  Most of the essential bits from Bella arriving in Forks to seeing him 'sparkle' in the meadow are translated effortlessly to the graphic novel format.  Key lines are kept intact, while, for good reason, others are paraphrased.  The novel stops with the meadow, so don't expect this to be a complete adaptation of "Twilight".  Expect each book to be broken up into at least two graphic novels, if not three.

The greatest thing about the graphic novel is not the fine adaptation, but the fantastic artwork by artist Young Kim.  The Bella and Edward he created are more like 'my' Edward and Bella than the movie ever  will.  The glossy black and white illustrations with occasional color thrown in are pleasing to the eye.  The drawing style is a good mix of traditional disney-esc and manga.  Kim's drawings really help readers see Bella's and Edwards emotions, as opposed to telling us with text.  The illustrations really were the main thing that drew me to picking this title up.  I'm sure you'll love them!

The only problem I have with this book is the binding and price.  Twenty-One dollars is mighty high for a comic book, especially one that is only volume one of many.  While I usually love hardcovers, it seems a bit much to bind comics in the hardcover  format in volume form.  Why not wait till all the volumes of "Twilight: The Graphic Novel" are out and in print?  It's rare for me to even want to pay ten dollars for a paperback manga these days, let alone twenty for a hardcover that isn't a compilation.  I would have preferred this to be in a more affordable format (ie paperback) than in the (however nice) hardcover/glossy one Yen Press decided to go for.

Overall, though, regardless of what I think of the price, I am happy with this adaptation.  I'd even say I prefer this to the movie versions that are so popular at the moment.  Enjoy this read!