Reviews

Once Upon a Time by Serena Valentino, FSc

slowbollard's review

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2.0

The art was neat in parts, but it was so hard to tell what was going on, particularly in the first half. It might have been better if it were in color, but as it is I wasn't entirely sure what was going on, and I didn't care enough to try to figure it out. The stories felt amateurish and ham-handed. I won't be reading any more volumes.

cosmicrusalka's review

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It was all too messy. The art and storytelling was just too chaotic for me.

heyjudy's review

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3.0

~3-3.5/5

This was a very dark, but very good, comic.

I wasn’t too sure what to expect, especially since I don’t read a lot of these, but it looked good. The art is gothic and dark, in a good way, with long necks and horrifying faces.

The storyline is really creepy. There’s a different one for each chapter, although ultimately they all revolve around a cursed doll. Annabelle wants to be loved and happy, and yet every owner that she has ends up dying horribly.

There are the normal stories, one about a girl and her friends, one about a girl and nuns, most of whom die somehow. There’s also a normal little girl who ends up being taken from her horrible parents and living with a nice lady, thankfully. There are two fairytales retold: Snow White and Cinderella. Both of them have horrible journeys but end somewhat nicely.

These are all horrible, nightmare-inducing stories, and they’re all very well done. The Snow White story particularly stands out to me. It was surprisingly good, and I’m glad I picked it up. I would like to find more stories like it.

[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]

spiffysarahruby's review

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3.0

I wanted to like this book more than I ended up liking it. I liked the artwork except for the 30% that was pretty much unintelligible. The takes on the classic fairy tales were interesting though. I'd still give the rest of this series a try. I won't give up yet!

mandyflavel's review

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3.0

I wasn't crazy about the artwork, but I liked the story.

tweedledelirium's review

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4.0

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read, and it was awesome! I love the artwork, and the story was fantastically dark and gloomy. It was definitely more gory and gothic than what I usually read, but I still really enjoyed it and hope to get the second volume.

bookbingingbedlam's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

kimsbookmoon's review

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4.0

A gothic, creepy, set of stories. The black and white art adds to the creepiness vibe! You can't help but to keep turning the page!! I like the spookiness!!

williamsdebbied's review

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4.0

Book one in the Nightmares & Fairy Tales series.

Gory retellings of horror stories and fairy tales from the perspective of Annabelle, a rag doll who might just be cursed. My favorite short story in this collection was the retelling of Cinderella. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "happily ever after."

quinnster's review

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3.0

It was okay. I liked the idea, but it was slightly hard to follow. In the beginning I had o idea what was going on. But like I said, it was an interesting story.