jexjthomas's review
5.0
The first volume was good, but was more promise than anything. Here, that promise is fulfilled and then some! This was a real page-turner, hugely compelling while deepening the series mythos, hitting genuinely moving emotional beats, and threading it all together with gorgeous art.
jenny_d's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
cupsofteaandnovels's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tytad's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sandraagee's review
4.0
I think I liked this one better than its predecessor. We got a lot more character growth along with our action this time. As with the first book, however, it's really the art that's selling this.
msievers's review
5.0
I discovered David Petersen at the Baltimore Comic-con last year. This second installment in the series was not quite as dramatic as the first book but continues to develop the characters in an interesting way. The story line about the Black Axe was a little predictable but I didn't mind because I like the characters and the artwork is great. I notice something new each time I read it. Looking forward to book 3!
cognative's review
5.0
A welcome next volume after the first one. Drawings are wonderful and the story kept me drawn in the entire time.
jessicafavor's review
4.0
This second run of 6 comics compromises the second story arc of Mouse Guard, and picks up after the snows have fallen upon the close of the previous volume. Petersen continues using eight inch by eight inch square pages in this second volume, a quirk that I have begun to grow fond of. I’m still reading The Art of Mouse Guard alongside the actual comics, and it’s proving extremely informative and is making me love the series all the more.
I mentioned in my review of Fall 1152 that I had hopes of Winter 1152 being more “expansive” than its predecessor. Rather than going wide, this second story instead goes deep, providing more history and context to the mouse world as well as giving a more intimate look at the characters of Saxon (the hothead), Kenzie (the thinker), Leiam (the rookie), and Celanawe (the grizzled mentor). Along for the ride is Sadie, a female guardsmouse who’s an expert slingshot-user. She remains more of a side-character than the male guardsmice, but I’m hoping that later additions to this series will see her personality and history expanded.
I also really enjoyed the direction that Petersen chose for the plot. Rather than building an even greater conflict than Midnight’s treason from Fall 1152, Petersen focuses on the consequences of the mice’s desperate defense of Lockhaven. Medicine for the wounded and food are in short supply, and the life of one of Kenzie and Saxon’s close friends hangs in the balance as the guardsmice seek aid from a far-off settlement. We see new species in this volume, some enemies to the mice and others who are friends to them. I really liked how each species had its dialogue in a different font and colored text box, and how each (like the hares) used different speech patterns.
Leiam is on the cusp of coming into his own in this volume, and proves himself with his steadfast loyalty and courage. I can’t wait to see how he grows into an even greater guardsmouse.
I mentioned in my review of Fall 1152 that I had hopes of Winter 1152 being more “expansive” than its predecessor. Rather than going wide, this second story instead goes deep, providing more history and context to the mouse world as well as giving a more intimate look at the characters of Saxon (the hothead), Kenzie (the thinker), Leiam (the rookie), and Celanawe (the grizzled mentor). Along for the ride is Sadie, a female guardsmouse who’s an expert slingshot-user. She remains more of a side-character than the male guardsmice, but I’m hoping that later additions to this series will see her personality and history expanded.
I also really enjoyed the direction that Petersen chose for the plot. Rather than building an even greater conflict than Midnight’s treason from Fall 1152, Petersen focuses on the consequences of the mice’s desperate defense of Lockhaven. Medicine for the wounded and food are in short supply, and the life of one of Kenzie and Saxon’s close friends hangs in the balance as the guardsmice seek aid from a far-off settlement. We see new species in this volume, some enemies to the mice and others who are friends to them. I really liked how each species had its dialogue in a different font and colored text box, and how each (like the hares) used different speech patterns.
Leiam is on the cusp of coming into his own in this volume, and proves himself with his steadfast loyalty and courage. I can’t wait to see how he grows into an even greater guardsmouse.