Reading Wednesday

[sabotabby]

I almost forgot! In fairness I have had a very bad few days.

Just finished: Breakdown (The Reckoner Rises), Vol. 1 by David A. Robertson, Scott B. Henderson (Illustrations), and Donovan Yaciuk. This was probably the best out of the graphic novels I picked up awhile ago. I saw the writer speak at TCAF and he was interesting enough to make me really look forward to this.

So, it's a sequel to his other trilogy, which I didn't read. I was led astray by the Vol. 1. It's about two Indigenous kids with superpowers versus an evil corporation. What I liked about it was that it dealt with their trauma from a previous adventure—despite the genre, there was a lot more introspection than action. I was a bit lost, not having read the first three, but I really enjoyed the character work. The art and character design are also quite beautiful. Basically I think I'd love it if I read it in order, and as it was I still got a lot out of it.

A Girl Called Echo: Pemmican Wars by Katherena Vermette, Scott B. Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk. Same artists, so the best thing I have to say about this one is that once again, the art and character design are really well done. Other than that, it's an educational comic for middle schoolers. A lonely Métis girl has flashbacks to points in her ancestors' history. Fine for what it is, but I'm not the target audience.

Currently reading: Blood Marble by Shirley Meier. Full disclosure: The author's a good friend of mine and I'm hella biased.

So this is high octane nightmare fuel. Minis, the 11-year-old son of the vile Imperator, grows up spoiled and indulged, with his father disappearing or murdering anyone he gets too close to. And then he befriends a foreign, enslaved gladiator, who challenges his worldview and teaches him how to be a good person. It's basically like watching a baby learn to walk, except by "baby" it's an 11-year-old child and by "walk" I mean "basic human decency." Really cool worldbuilding, engaging characters, but for the love of all things holy some of these presses need to hire me to copy-edit for them. Also all the trigger warnings. Seriously. Like de Sade on roller skates.

Comments

[frenzy]

I loved a girl called echo but it helped that as an American I knew nothing about the story. Super sad.

[sabotabby]

Fair. I just have my preferred ways of learning things (see my freakouts on FB over tutorial videos). So if I'm reading a comic and I get the sense that the main purpose is to educate me, I get bristly. Which is not to say it's a bad thing for its audience—I'm glad it exists and will no doubt be useful for some of my students!—and not everyone enjoys reading massive tomes on Métis history, but I do.

[armiphlage]

I have her older books, but didn't know she was still writing!

[armiphlage]

(Shirley Meier, that is)

[sabotabby]

Oh yes! Quite prolifically, even.