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gentle_garbage_baby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Pretty good read. The book has the comic version first, followed by the novella version afterwards. I preferred the novella - the comic makes some changes to the story which I didn't enjoy as much, especially the ending , but I can understand why they were done due to the different format. A short and interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Homophobia
emleemay's review against another edition
2.0
This was a somewhat disappointing graphic novel from Joe Hill that relied too much on empty shock tactics and gory images. It's a quick read and compelling enough that readers will likely find themselves finishing it in one sitting, but the story lacks any real substance. The element of the story that had the most potential, in my opinion, was the exploration of the protagonist's state of mind after she was responsible for horrific acts in Abu Ghraib. It could have been a far more fascinating read if the psychological aspect had been better examined. Unfortunately, though, this story felt like one torture scene after another.
Once the original shock and horror wore off, there was nothing left to interest me.
Once the original shock and horror wore off, there was nothing left to interest me.
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
Mallory Grennan returns from Iraq and tries to pick up the pieces of her broken life. Someone from her past starts sending her thumbprints and she needs to find out who. The truth she finds is gruesome and revealing of who she really might be.
This is based on a short story by Joe Hill, and, while it's not as horrific as some of his other work, it has an inward darkness to it. From Mallory's confession of her past in Iraq, which she seems to have no qualms about, to the constant pressure from her boss John Petty at the VFW bar she works at, there is not a lot of hope or happiness here. The characters exist in a sort of moral ambiguity that they have justified for themselves, so the progression of the story seems like a natural finale.
Story by Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella is dark and only gets darker. Art by Vic Malhotra is simple with vague shapes that fit the ambiguous moral nature of the story being told. I enjoyed it.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
This is based on a short story by Joe Hill, and, while it's not as horrific as some of his other work, it has an inward darkness to it. From Mallory's confession of her past in Iraq, which she seems to have no qualms about, to the constant pressure from her boss John Petty at the VFW bar she works at, there is not a lot of hope or happiness here. The characters exist in a sort of moral ambiguity that they have justified for themselves, so the progression of the story seems like a natural finale.
Story by Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella is dark and only gets darker. Art by Vic Malhotra is simple with vague shapes that fit the ambiguous moral nature of the story being told. I enjoyed it.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
theseventhl's review against another edition
4.0
A hell of a read for ninety nine cents. It was dark, brutal, and effective. I had initially wished there was more, but now I think it was the perfect length. Hill tackles the Iraqi prisoner torture issue with unflinching detail; certainty not for those who get squeamish reading details of torture and violence. There was also a sample of his newest book which I'll certainly be checking out before too long.
P.S. Hey self, why did you wait so bloody long to read Joe Hill? Honestly!
P.S. Hey self, why did you wait so bloody long to read Joe Hill? Honestly!
megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was more intense than most of his writings, mostly due to the fact that it's realistic - there was real fear in it.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, better than Heart Shaped Box, but clearly an early novella that was resurfaced after fame. Kinda bold in someways and kinda just there in others. I liked the focus on the war and ways it impacts people, but it didn't do too much to make me more of a Joe Hill fan.
beingshort's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
reubenlb's review against another edition
1.0
A pathetic ending that was barely worth the mediocre start and middle