alisarae's review against another edition
3.0
Incapsulates postmodernism, and would be really good to teach it using this book. The story itself, at least in this set of the first four, is a bit dull. The art is wonderful though!
iamericat22's review against another edition
5.0
Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. When I heard he had a graphic novel, published years prior to the release of Harry Potter, that detailed the story of a bespectacled boy and his owl beginning the journey of the call to magic, I knew I had to read and compare.
Fortunately, The Books of Magic series (only the first written by Gaiman) is more an ode to Joesph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey." And for the record, Gaiman defended J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series by saying they both drew from standard story archetypes but were both stories of different measure.
The artwork in books of magic is beautiful. The story was dark, intriguing, and full of Easter egg nods to Gaiman's highly excellent Sandman graphic novel series. Read Sandman first, and then cleanse the palate with this gem.
#5StarRead
Fortunately, The Books of Magic series (only the first written by Gaiman) is more an ode to Joesph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey." And for the record, Gaiman defended J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series by saying they both drew from standard story archetypes but were both stories of different measure.
The artwork in books of magic is beautiful. The story was dark, intriguing, and full of Easter egg nods to Gaiman's highly excellent Sandman graphic novel series. Read Sandman first, and then cleanse the palate with this gem.
#5StarRead
bardinhell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wondrous art that takes us through the Sandman DC Universe. The only flaw I can imagine is that Tim is a bit dull compared to the adults.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this book because I had read somewhere, that before the Harry Potter series was published, Neil Gaiman wrote this book about a boy with glasses who was guided through a magical world, and even had an owl. That's about where the similarities ended, but that's not why I'm giving this book two stars. Graphic novels don't really do much for me--I can't connect with the characters, and unlike picture books for kids, I usually don't find that the illustrations add much to the story.
teaandanoraks's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
megb64's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
vanquishingvolumes's review against another edition
3.0
This would probably be more of a hit for those who are more fully immersed in the DC Comic world - specifically Constantine and Sandman. I knew enough based on movies and general pop culture knowledge to sort of understand who these characters were, but I definitely felt disconnected from the world as we meet a plethora of DC Comic characters as well as legendary characters of myth. It wasn’t a bad read, I just felt lost.
panelparty's review against another edition
2.0
Wow, I did not enjoy this at all. Maybe I'm just not well-versed enough in DC to get all the references, but this was annoying to read. I found the plot pointless, the art all over the place, and the characters pretty universally unlikable (other than Yo-Yo the owl). I'm beginning to think that while I love his prose, I really don't like Neil Gaiman as a comics author - I've yet to be impressed with anything of his in comic form.
lookhome's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely introduction into Gaiman's world of magic.
This book provides peak into time, place and the ever present potential and possibilities of choice.
Overall a seductive read and a very strong graphic novel.
Strongly recommended to those that enjoyed The Sandman, The Prestige and Hellblazer
This book provides peak into time, place and the ever present potential and possibilities of choice.
Overall a seductive read and a very strong graphic novel.
Strongly recommended to those that enjoyed The Sandman, The Prestige and Hellblazer