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rainjrop's review
4.0
As a fan and follower of Peter Mohrbacher’s Angelarium art series, I bought this book for the art. So let me say this: I love the art. I think it’s imaginative, gorgeous, has a great potential for interpretation, and will be something to revisit often.
Moving on. I knew there would be accompanying text, but I wasn’t really expecting it to generally follow one character, so that's a thing that's fine. The issue is that it's just kind of...okay. I can tell he's trying to write deeply and encompass the indescribable aspects of the emanations, but it's just not executed in the way it deserves. It’s because I bought the book for the art that the general mediocrity of the text doesn’t bother me too much. I really enjoyed the little snippets that accompanied the name of each emanation and angel, but I could’ve done without the longer pieces that were printed opposite the actual artwork.
Something that really bothered me in the Ein Soph text particularly, but also throughout, was the inconsistent and often incorrect punctuation, capitalization, and extra spaces in between words. As a proofreader, these apparently random mistakes jumped off the page and smacked me across the face every time I encountered them. I don’t mind rules being bent or broken for stylistic purposes, but this didn’t feel intentional and if it was, I can’t imagine what purpose it served. It just looks sloppy and distracts from the reading.
The shorter text accompanying the Angelarium section were much better. They were technically correct and more engaging.
Moving on. I knew there would be accompanying text, but I wasn’t really expecting it to generally follow one character, so that's a thing that's fine. The issue is that it's just kind of...okay. I can tell he's trying to write deeply and encompass the indescribable aspects of the emanations, but it's just not executed in the way it deserves. It’s because I bought the book for the art that the general mediocrity of the text doesn’t bother me too much. I really enjoyed the little snippets that accompanied the name of each emanation and angel, but I could’ve done without the longer pieces that were printed opposite the actual artwork.
Something that really bothered me in the Ein Soph text particularly, but also throughout, was the inconsistent and often incorrect punctuation, capitalization, and extra spaces in between words. As a proofreader, these apparently random mistakes jumped off the page and smacked me across the face every time I encountered them. I don’t mind rules being bent or broken for stylistic purposes, but this didn’t feel intentional and if it was, I can’t imagine what purpose it served. It just looks sloppy and distracts from the reading.
The shorter text accompanying the Angelarium section were much better. They were technically correct and more engaging.
atnea's review
4.0
I received this copy in exchange of an honest review, for so, none of my feelings were affected or biased by the author or publisher.
Update: 12/14/2015
Soon to be on my blog.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
One of the most beautiful illustrations I have seen for sure. I was mesmerized by them in every way. The story that went along with them were full of knowledge, short and elusive. The descriptions of each sephiroth was quite poetic and beautiful. Very open and wide. In other words, it was great.
Even thought it wasn't the best writing or, really, a well integrated story or something else, it was ok. Because that wasn't what it was trying to be. It has a more free idea to it.
Short review, because it's a short book, and not much is to be said. Unless I put myself to ponder about each story, which I will, but not here.
Update: 12/14/2015
Rating: 4/5 stars.
One of the most beautiful illustrations I have seen for sure. I was mesmerized by them in every way. The story that went along with them were full of knowledge, short and elusive. The descriptions of each sephiroth was quite poetic and beautiful. Very open and wide. In other words, it was great.
Even thought it wasn't the best writing or, really, a well integrated story or something else, it was ok. Because that wasn't what it was trying to be. It has a more free idea to it.
Short review, because it's a short book, and not much is to be said. Unless I put myself to ponder about each story, which I will, but not here.
geekwayne's review
3.0
'Angelarium: Book of Emanations' is a gorgeous art book by Peter Mohrbacher with a strange story.
The story that accompanies the pictures is about a wanderer named Enoch. At the beginning of his travels, he is given a journal that he assumes is filled, but finds to be empty, for him to fill. He approaches his journey with the tree of life, angels and an unknowable being known as Ein Sof. Each section is based on what seems like a geometrical character. The painting is then expanded out into a an abstract shape, then a fully rendered painting. Along with it are a few paragraphs of how Enoch found this particular being.
It's only 60 pages long, so it doesn't take long to go through the content, so it may or may not be worth the $25 price tag. The text complements the art, but they are basically journal entries. The paintings are nice. I enjoyed reading this.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Magnetic Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The story that accompanies the pictures is about a wanderer named Enoch. At the beginning of his travels, he is given a journal that he assumes is filled, but finds to be empty, for him to fill. He approaches his journey with the tree of life, angels and an unknowable being known as Ein Sof. Each section is based on what seems like a geometrical character. The painting is then expanded out into a an abstract shape, then a fully rendered painting. Along with it are a few paragraphs of how Enoch found this particular being.
It's only 60 pages long, so it doesn't take long to go through the content, so it may or may not be worth the $25 price tag. The text complements the art, but they are basically journal entries. The paintings are nice. I enjoyed reading this.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Magnetic Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
cosmic333's review
3.0
The paintings were amazing and inventive but I found the stories not as captivating as the imagery that accompanied them.
dominerdy's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Reading this is more like reading art opposed to a novel. It’s an artistic experience. In lovecraft’s works you have gods acting in seemingly malevolent ways that humans can’t understand. Here, what if angels behaved the same way? Acting in ways with reasons that human’s can’t hope to understand?
On top of a unique take on angels and their presence, this book features gorgeous art of angels in biblically accurate and abstract ways on every page. Truly a treat to read.
On top of a unique take on angels and their presence, this book features gorgeous art of angels in biblically accurate and abstract ways on every page. Truly a treat to read.
catsnflags's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
xandraxian's review
4.0
I'm mostly here for the artwork. Still, the information of the Emanations and Angels were an interesting plus. Also, following Enoch is a nice way to show examples of the ideas' and beings' presence and influence; though, I wouldn't suggest it for the story.
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