The Jomsvikings' manipulations and conspiring have come back to bite them in their Viking asses as they have stirred up a faction aided by the incorriThe Jomsvikings' manipulations and conspiring have come back to bite them in their Viking asses as they have stirred up a faction aided by the incorrigible violence loving Thorkell. Both Thorfinn's and the living-on-the-edge Sigurd's crews get deeply caught up in the ensuing conflict. And as amiable nutcase with murderous intent Garm hunts his prey, Hild watches over hers. [image] More alarming situations arise as Thorfinn struggle to manage him and his friends through the conflict without resorting, or should that be reverting back to killing. With a great supporting cast, corny humour, savage violence and century-appropriate super heroics by the likes of Thorkell, Thorfinn and Garm, this was a riveting improving read. Four Stars, 8 out of 12. [image] 2025 read...more
A couple of volumes set in a reality where skulduggery and ever shifting alliances threaten the Viking kingdom itself. And amidst this King Canute's aA couple of volumes set in a reality where skulduggery and ever shifting alliances threaten the Viking kingdom itself. And amidst this King Canute's and Thorfinn's completely paths to peace continue to develop. Hild's is most certainly an absorbing and thrilling addition to the cast, as is the, at last, proper character development of Round Eyes. And the debut of Garm also turns it up! This strong character led series continue to entertain and hold my attention. A first Four Star rating for ages is earned by this one! [image] 2025 read...more
Miles' comic gets a new creative team and yet again it's one that fails to even dust the shoes of Bendis' immaculate runs. New teen terror villains coMiles' comic gets a new creative team and yet again it's one that fails to even dust the shoes of Bendis' immaculate runs. New teen terror villains comes after Miles and his friends and family ooh, so dramatic not! A Two Star, 5 out of 12 unsatisfying read with above average artwork. [image] 2025 read...more
On reading this I realised that I have never read an Iron Man series! So Tony Stark has donated his vast wealth to get all the criminally held WMDs coOn reading this I realised that I have never read an Iron Man series! So Tony Stark has donated his vast wealth to get all the criminally held WMDs confiscated, and he no longer runs his company! For me, most of Marvel content has got to the point of regurgitating stories already told, so having this series narrated by an autobiography writing Tony Stark (not Iron Man) who is actively going to AA and trying to find a new direction is quite interesting. The art is more than OK too. This is how to start a new season. Three Stars, 7 out of 12. [image] 2025 read...more
When you have slaughtered hundreds and been involved in the pillaging of thousands it's not so easy to be on a quest for Vinland without coming acrossWhen you have slaughtered hundreds and been involved in the pillaging of thousands it's not so easy to be on a quest for Vinland without coming across people from your past, angry at you people from your past, just ask Thorfin! A superb hunter vs hunted volume 17 introduces Hild; and then volume 18 sees a lot of familiar faces return in full force to our saga. As like the other volumes, the plotting is slow and plodding, but it is also full of top historical fiction reality building and such a great cast of characters :) Another Three Star, 7 out of 12 omnibus. [image] 2025 read...more
Thorfinn, to a degree at peace with his past and present seeks to actualise Vinland for real! He realises that he needs funding to achieve his goal anThorfinn, to a degree at peace with his past and present seeks to actualise Vinland for real! He realises that he needs funding to achieve his goal and alongside his allies becomes a merchant. On Greenland they come across a possible investor, his son Sigurd, and his very reluctant 'wants to be sailor' wife-to-be Duguid: [image] The two volumes in this omnibus focus on testing Thorfinn's rejection of war and violence (yet again) and on Duguid's rejection of female roles in Viking society. There's something captivating about both the art and characterisations that has me so pulled into what is an overall great saga but dominated by slow and often mundane plotting, which in turn is maybe what makes the high points so good? Another Three Star, 7 out of 12 read. [image] 2025 read...more
2010 review: Odd Thomas returns for his third adventure, as ever turned out as a manuscript to his erstwhile mentor / father figure Ozzie Boone. Odd h2010 review: Odd Thomas returns for his third adventure, as ever turned out as a manuscript to his erstwhile mentor / father figure Ozzie Boone. Odd has tried to escape from the trials of modern life and sought exclusion, by residing with monks and nuns; as ever he comes across trouble, and this time it 'looks' supernatural, but may not be. The suspicious deaths of two monks is the harbinger of worries ahead, as is the sudden appearance of Bodachs, those warnings of doom that only Odd can perceive. Another most intriguing and delightful jaunt into the world of Odd Thomas and the eclectic supporting cast that always accompanies him. 6 out of 12, Three Star read [image] 2007 review: When I think just how promising the first book in this series was, such a an innovative take on the 'I see dead people' sub-genre. But unfortunately the series jumped the shark with the follow up, and that shark jumping continues, in this the third book in this series. What makes it hurt that much more, is that the utterly marvellous title character remains exactly that as the storylines burn all around him! For context, I struggle with most of Koontz work, so it might just be a matter of personal taste... you know like all media is :). 4 out 12, Two Star read. [image] 2010 and 2007 read...more
Our refocused hero serving a sort of a penance as a slave to the Ketils has a dream, a dream of a war-free and slavery-free reality called Vinland, a Our refocused hero serving a sort of a penance as a slave to the Ketils has a dream, a dream of a war-free and slavery-free reality called Vinland, a dream passed on to him from his most honourable, but murdered father. As Canute's plans for violent expansionism of resource gathering has led him and his forces to the Ketil farm, both Thorfinn and his 'bother' Eimar will surely be tested? [image] Although not the most compelling or fast-moving saga, the art and overall sentiment and meaning hugely make up for this. The evolution of both Canute and Thorfinn over the series has been expansive and artfully crafted. Very much a whole as opposed to a sum of its parts, and this series has got my attention and appreciation. Another very strong Three Star, 7 out of 12 two volumes. [image] 2025 read...more
Set in 1950s' Arkansas in a small town in Bigelow, opening with the impact of the brutal rape murder of African American Pearl's daughter; the story mSet in 1950s' Arkansas in a small town in Bigelow, opening with the impact of the brutal rape murder of African American Pearl's daughter; the story moves to the 1950s present where a young and confident shameless swaggering young prostitute, Sugar, comes to Bigelow, facially reminding Pearl of her daughter they strike up an unlikely friendship. McFadden artfully brings the Black community of Bigelow to life sharing the present alongside the slowly revealed story of Sugar's past. [image] An impactful read, set in its entirety in the small town Black community and centred almost entirely round Pearl and Sugar. It was so refreshing to have a prostitute lead that is not painted solely as a victim despite her neglected past, but painted as a heroine that overcame much and grew and learned how to take control over her life, especially not letting anyone in - but Pearl keeps knocking. A book about small town demons that can come back when you least suspect it. This is the first book of a duology and I initially thought I would Five Star this one, but I really didn't like the way the story evolved, but hope the second book and a reread may get me to better appreciate this work. Whatever one feels about the plot this feels like a beautifully accurate recreation of past times. On first read this is a strong Three Star, 7 out of 12. [image] 2025 read...more
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