stagedoormerch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mirpanda277's review against another edition
5.0
I love the artwork and the magic/world, but I think the pacing is a little off. Characters' motivations and changing minds threw me off a bit, but I was speed reading to finish the volume before it was returned to the library automatically--maybe it was my pace that was off.
bookwyrm_kate's review against another edition
4.0
Story: 3 Stars
Art by Jen Bartel: 5+ Stars
The pace of this story (first 6 issues) seems off, but the main plot is a pretty cool idea, and the art is GORGEOUS. I think once it hits its stride it could be great. I came for the art, I stayed for the art, and I’ll get the next volume to enjoy the art.
Art by Jen Bartel: 5+ Stars
The pace of this story (first 6 issues) seems off, but the main plot is a pretty cool idea, and the art is GORGEOUS. I think once it hits its stride it could be great. I came for the art, I stayed for the art, and I’ll get the next volume to enjoy the art.
literarynessie's review against another edition
2.0
Blackbird has a little bit of the City of Bones storyline (family members disappears/gets kidnapped, heroine's memory is wiped, when she remembers she learns her family is part of a secret magical group). Another similarity to another pop culture work I found was when Nina transforms fully into a paragon. The art reminded me of the scenes when Usagi transforms into Sailor Moon. There's also a magical cat that follows her around.
The strength of Blackbird was in the artwork and visuals. It's absolutely stunning.
The weakness of this graphic novel is the storyline. It's full of over-used tropes and it didn't try very hard to subvert them in any way. The whole thing was quite predictable. Not to mention, some of the phrases in the story were repeated over and over.
However, I very much enjoyed some of the characters like Clint. But it turns out I also liked the magic system and the glamour spells, even though the "human world" versus the "magic people world" has also been done so many times.
I felt like there was SO much more potential than we got and I found the storyline a little angsty. I was hoping for a little bit more grittiness. I also feel like Nina could've been more developed as a character. If she had been, it would have strengthened the plot. I don't mind something being tropey if the heroine is more than her 'tragic backstory'. I wanted to her to have goals, wishes, desires beyond her single-minded mission of finding her sister.
Overall, not terrible or bad---the storyline is simply not as particularly exciting as the visuals.
The strength of Blackbird was in the artwork and visuals. It's absolutely stunning.
The weakness of this graphic novel is the storyline. It's full of over-used tropes and it didn't try very hard to subvert them in any way. The whole thing was quite predictable. Not to mention, some of the phrases in the story were repeated over and over.
However, I very much enjoyed some of the characters like Clint. But it turns out
Spoiler
he's a pawn in his father's true plans, which again---using the love interest against the heroine has been done to death.I felt like there was SO much more potential than we got and I found the storyline a little angsty. I was hoping for a little bit more grittiness. I also feel like Nina could've been more developed as a character. If she had been, it would have strengthened the plot. I don't mind something being tropey if the heroine is more than her 'tragic backstory'. I wanted to her to have goals, wishes, desires beyond her single-minded mission of finding her sister.
Overall, not terrible or bad---the storyline is simply not as particularly exciting as the visuals.
kaedeco's review against another edition
4.0
I myself really like series. In my perspective it was easy to follow and the world in which Nina portrayed her thoughts and what was happening was really enticing.
There's some strong issues that's tackled within the first part, and the relationship between the characters are quite the scene.
I love it.
There's some strong issues that's tackled within the first part, and the relationship between the characters are quite the scene.
I love it.
minniequinnie's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. The art is gorgeous and the concept is perfect. The plot did feel a tad rushed but I wasn't bothered by it one bit.
browneyesblue84's review against another edition
5.0
This was fantastic. I cannot wait to read Volume 2. Nina has no clue what she’s about to encounter, but I don’t blame her for the decisions that she made.
elenavarg's review against another edition
3.0
Jen Bartel is one of the best modern artist and she was the number one reason I picked this book up. Her art is INCREDIBLE. I mean, it always, but the character design in the world of Blackbird is ever better than usual.
Sadly, the story doesn’t quite live up to the gorgeous art. It’s very scattered and confusing. Although the magical system in the story is fascinating, the details get mixed together and some story beats are not hit well. Where did that one cop go? What about the protagonist’s addiction?
What ever is going on between her and the love interest (???) is odd and without chemistry, but the protagonist’s relationship with her mother and sister is very interesting. I do hope the creators get to continue their story in a new volume!!
Sadly, the story doesn’t quite live up to the gorgeous art. It’s very scattered and confusing. Although the magical system in the story is fascinating, the details get mixed together and some story beats are not hit well. Where did that one cop go? What about the protagonist’s addiction?
What ever is going on between her and the love interest (???) is odd and without chemistry, but the protagonist’s relationship with her mother and sister is very interesting. I do hope the creators get to continue their story in a new volume!!
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
3.0
Story - 2.5/5
Art - 4.5/5
Interesting premise, but the plot-twists were a little too obvious and the magic is a little confusing to me, but the art was gorgeous so that made taking the time to read this one worthwhile.
Art - 4.5/5
Interesting premise, but the plot-twists were a little too obvious and the magic is a little confusing to me, but the art was gorgeous so that made taking the time to read this one worthwhile.