Reviews

Grimoire noir by Vera Greentea

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gemspy7's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

kalypsowolf's review against another edition

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3.5

Ok but can we talk about this art?? It's so pretty while still having that dark atmosphere that this story needs and the character designs are absolutely gorgeous.

When it comes to graphic novels that are trying to tell a complete story and not just a character arc or an experience, I usually prefer them to be series. I wouldn't say that is the case with this one though. I didn't mind the fast pace that comes along with standalone graphic novels in this one and I actually felt like it served the story really well. I do think it probably could've been a few pages longer, mainly because I think it would have been a benefit to add more hints as to who the true culprit was and to flesh out little bits of the story better, but that's just me. Mostly I was just sad there wasn't more pretty art for me to look at.

While this was a fun little read and I enjoyed myself, I think I just generally prefer when graphic novels can get a strong emotional response from me and this didn't do that. I also don't think that was really the purpose of this though. I think this was more of a cool idea that they decided to turn into a pseudo detective story and that's all it really needed to be. It wrapped up well, had a satisfying ending and had moments that could have emotional weight to someone who really relates to those struggles, but that wasn't me and that's ok. Still had a great time.

ceena's review against another edition

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3.0

I wanted to love this one. I truly did. See, from page one I fell in love with the art. I'd read the the pages, then usually spend a good minute or so just staring at the artwork. It is wonderfully done. There were pages I wish I could just stick on my wall so I could look at them again and again.

Unfortunately, I didn't think the story held up. It is a decent plot with his sister missing, witches stuck in town or they will die, and Bucky trying to find his sister and save her from witches who might be trying to use her for ill-gain. I was in, I was devoted to his cause, but Bucky is so quick to judge people and doesn't learn any better. He loses a friend off of his actions. The other characters weren't really fleshed out which was a bummer.

The ending though is what ruined the book for me, or I should say the way the mystery works out. There is this huge potential backstory thing which wasn't worked out or talked about in the end and what happened to his sister felt so... anticlimatic? Also, super based on luck. There is so, so much potential here and again the artwork is gorgeous, which makes this lower rating so heartbreaking. But, I'll totally be reading more by this author and illustrator in the future.

zellreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Really beautiful and interesting storyline. I would have loved to see more character development but I know thats more difficult in a graphic novel.

el_wheel's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The art is beautiful but the story was pretty mid and the ending was super anticlimactic. Also the end bit with Emmeline made no sense and seemed to serve no purpose?

ina_fab's review against another edition

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4.0

This graphic novel has the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen ♡ It has dark, and very atmospheric art that feeds your eyes page by page.

Blackwell is a town like no other. All the girls are witches and their charms are protected by the law and townspeople. But they cannot escape this place, unless they are willing to lose their magic. When Heidi goes missing, her brother Bucky begins a journey where he will find ghosts, shades, and secrets about the witches in town.

Although the plot is not that engaging, the illustrations are definitely worth seeing.