xaijar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Plot - 3 stars
Illustrations - 4 stars
Overall - 3.5 stars
As the plot deepens it is also becoming more and more confusing. I feel that some of the chapters are so quick and sparatic and it's a bit jarring at times. I would have liked the chapters fleshed out more. I believe that things have been left confusing so it can all be tired together in the 3rd and final volume. I hope it comes together in a clever way.
I really like the illustrations, they look great and the magical visuals are stunning.
Illustrations - 4 stars
Overall - 3.5 stars
As the plot deepens it is also becoming more and more confusing. I feel that some of the chapters are so quick and sparatic and it's a bit jarring at times. I would have liked the chapters fleshed out more. I believe that things have been left confusing so it can all be tired together in the 3rd and final volume. I hope it comes together in a clever way.
I really like the illustrations, they look great and the magical visuals are stunning.
pastel_princess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
asahome's review against another edition
3.0
A rabbit makes carrot art while her fluffle struggles with low food production. A fox tries to find the Black Sun to raise a bad guy as revenge for killing his daughter?
I wanted to give this author a second chance. I was a little disappointed. Overall, I struggled with the book feeling like it dropped me into the middle of something. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it felt like I'd missed important bits. I wanted to find my way in this series and there is supposed to be a third, but I'm not sure I'm going to make it.
I don't mind putting something down as not for me.
orangerful's review against another edition
4.0
For a 270 page graphic novel technically written for kids, book 2 of the Cottons trilogy has a rich story with so much world building, you find yourself wanting more. I almost wish this was a actual novel, with more text so I could learn more about the Cottons and the Foxes and their societies and histories.
My only nitpick is still that I have a hard time telling some of the rabbits apart...that or there is a rabbit that has multiple names, which might be why I was confused. This is what happens when you read before bedtime I guess!
Anyway, if you like rich fantasy worlds, this is a series to pick up.
My only nitpick is still that I have a hard time telling some of the rabbits apart...that or there is a rabbit that has multiple names, which might be why I was confused. This is what happens when you read before bedtime I guess!
Anyway, if you like rich fantasy worlds, this is a series to pick up.
mergs_scribbles's review
3.75
Still enjoying this series. A lot happened in this book and I think the fast pacing made it difficult to really focus on some key plot points and elements. Still, I’m having fun and will be patiently waiting for the next one.
midgardener's review against another edition
2.0
As with the previous installment, this volume in the Cottons series continues on with beautiful artwork and a highly intriguing world. Unfortunately, the first volume's detractors continue as well, namely poor organization of scenes, a scattered vision of plot, and general confusion regarding what, really, is going on. There are questions that need to be addressed yet are left unexplored in deference to the story the author wants to get on with; questions such as "what do thokchas do?", "how are thokchas made?", "why can some rabbits make thokchas but not others?", and "what, exactly, does our protagonist want?" And there are many others besides. This installment appears to start out well, focusing on only a few characters during an art show, but then quickly suffers from the scene-switching that so plagued "The Secret of the Wind". If this is supposed to be about Bridgebelle (as the in-world writings at the beginning of the book say), then it should have been made ABOUT Bridgebelle. Jumping back and forth between Bridgebelle, Croquet, Glee, foxes, etc. whirls the reader about, resulting in a loss of true understanding of character motives, subplot importance, and general cohesion. Ultimately, it's clear to me that the story in here should have been simplified and/or told over more than three volumes, with more time given to each character in their turn. I have no idea what the third and final installment will cover, or, indeed, what it will really be about. Saving the vales (from what? foxes? the Broken Feather King? who is that again...?) Resisting forced labor? Fixing the carrot shortage? Figuring out what that giant flaming turtle-monster guardian thing is? Discovering what happened to rabbit society 500 years ago? Bridgebelle coming into... her "power?" There are lots of loose ends floating about, and while I'll read the final book I won't be holding out for anything different than what we've seen before.
On another, briefer note, there was a completely cringe-worthy Bridgebelle speech on the value of art that failed to actually make the argument.
Lastly, the issue of titles should be acknowledged. In retrospect, I couldn't tell you what "The Secret of the Wind" meant in regards to the book's actual plot; and I couldn't tell you what "The White Carrot" meant either. At least there really is a white carrot in this volume, and at least it certainly represents a choice between 1) freedom/nonattachment, 2) material wealth, and 3) something else... ? I presume that "the white carrot" is a reference to a choice that Bridgebelle has to make, but what that choice is within the story, I couldn't say. The final volume is already titled "The Curse of the Vales", and I think it's safe to say that one's pretty straightforward, as there was a curse already mentioned in "The White Carrot". Let's hope it proves true.
All in all: this is a beautifully, beautifully drawn tale with poor bones. I love vibrant graphic novels, I love anthropomorphic stories, and I love fantasy; but in this case, the combination of those three strong elements have not done enough to save the story from itself. While it's likely apparent that I'll be going into the final installment with a mental preparation for disappointment, I really do hope that the author, Jim Pascoe, can refine his writing and deliver us a new story in the years to come that improves upon his efforts here. He clearly has a fine imagination and a desire to tell grand, unique tales unlike any we've seen before. I hope to give something of his a 5 out of 5 one day.
On another, briefer note, there was a completely cringe-worthy Bridgebelle speech on the value of art that failed to actually make the argument.
Lastly, the issue of titles should be acknowledged. In retrospect, I couldn't tell you what "The Secret of the Wind" meant in regards to the book's actual plot; and I couldn't tell you what "The White Carrot" meant either. At least there really is a white carrot in this volume, and at least it certainly represents a choice between 1) freedom/nonattachment, 2) material wealth, and 3) something else... ? I presume that "the white carrot" is a reference to a choice that Bridgebelle has to make, but what that choice is within the story, I couldn't say. The final volume is already titled "The Curse of the Vales", and I think it's safe to say that one's pretty straightforward, as there was a curse already mentioned in "The White Carrot". Let's hope it proves true.
All in all: this is a beautifully, beautifully drawn tale with poor bones. I love vibrant graphic novels, I love anthropomorphic stories, and I love fantasy; but in this case, the combination of those three strong elements have not done enough to save the story from itself. While it's likely apparent that I'll be going into the final installment with a mental preparation for disappointment, I really do hope that the author, Jim Pascoe, can refine his writing and deliver us a new story in the years to come that improves upon his efforts here. He clearly has a fine imagination and a desire to tell grand, unique tales unlike any we've seen before. I hope to give something of his a 5 out of 5 one day.
username33's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I've been a fan of the first Cottons book since it was released, and this did NOT disappoint.
The art style is amazing, the worldbuilding is one of the best from any middle-grade series I've read, the characters are AMAZING as well, and the political systems within the series are so well-done. I'm so excited for Book 3!
The dialogue is the only somewhat weak part, but since this is middle grade and has a fairly complex plot and world, the amounts of exposition make absolute sense. It's been a while since I've read book 1 soo yeah
Also I checked my clock and I read this is 25 minutes?! So engaging throughout. Might read it again. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS
I've been a fan of the first Cottons book since it was released, and this did NOT disappoint.
The art style is amazing, the worldbuilding is one of the best from any middle-grade series I've read, the characters are AMAZING as well, and the political systems within the series are so well-done. I'm so excited for Book 3!
The dialogue is the only somewhat weak part, but since this is middle grade and has a fairly complex plot and world, the amounts of exposition make absolute sense. It's been a while since I've read book 1 soo yeah
Also I checked my clock and I read this is 25 minutes?! So engaging throughout. Might read it again. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS
tinkeringlibrarian's review
4.0
More like 3.5. So much plot is just smashed in here, it doesn’t quite feel like it makes sense. Still intriguing. Reminds me a bit of Duncton Hill with its elaborate theology and mysticism. Grades 5-9.
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