minabix's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another stunningly illustrated book with an intriguing plot and heroes you love to root for!
Mr Alice once again shows he's amazing at pacing and visual storytelling - these books are totally cinematic. The composition of each page and panel perfectly leads you through the plot, showing you what you need to know and sprinkling in some bonus foreshadowing on top of the awesome establishing shots and emotive character details. You could read this without the text and still understand exactly what's going on and what everyone's feeling (once you've finished studying the imaginative Martian creatures and drinking in the intricate, Moebius-esque landscapes, that is). The art is detailed when it needs to be and simple when it needs to be, and it's always beautiful and colourful. He's also great at putting little cliffhangers before every page-turn. This is a guy that truly knows his craft.
There were some sweet character moments in this one, even from the antagonists, and nice callbacks to the first book and how much they've grown since then. I also enjoyed the fun Star Wars homages, which fit in well. And the environments and world-building is fantastic - spiralling shell-like palaces, crystal-clear floating rivers, glowing flying fish, funky lanterns on cool boats ... All laid out to give you a great sense of space and an understanding of where everything and everyone is.
The series has gone from alternative-history steampunk to full-on sci-fi, but I'm on board for it. It was a bit weird to get to the aliens at first, but they have been hinted at for a long time now and I really appreciate that the story is evolving and full of surprises, while remaining believable. With the next adventure neatly set up and an 'Oh no!' revelation on the last page, I'm hyped for book five (and six!)... Based on the series so far, I have no doubt that it'll reach an epic conclusion.
Mr Alice once again shows he's amazing at pacing and visual storytelling - these books are totally cinematic. The composition of each page and panel perfectly leads you through the plot, showing you what you need to know and sprinkling in some bonus foreshadowing on top of the awesome establishing shots and emotive character details. You could read this without the text and still understand exactly what's going on and what everyone's feeling (once you've finished studying the imaginative Martian creatures and drinking in the intricate, Moebius-esque landscapes, that is). The art is detailed when it needs to be and simple when it needs to be, and it's always beautiful and colourful. He's also great at putting little cliffhangers before every page-turn. This is a guy that truly knows his craft.
There were some sweet character moments in this one, even from the antagonists, and nice callbacks to the first book and how much they've grown since then. I also enjoyed the fun Star Wars homages, which fit in well. And the environments and world-building is fantastic - spiralling shell-like palaces, crystal-clear floating rivers, glowing flying fish, funky lanterns on cool boats ... All laid out to give you a great sense of space and an understanding of where everything and everyone is.
The series has gone from alternative-history steampunk to full-on sci-fi, but I'm on board for it. It was a bit weird to get to the aliens at first, but they have been hinted at for a long time now and I really appreciate that the story is evolving and full of surprises, while remaining believable. With the next adventure neatly set up and an 'Oh no!' revelation on the last page, I'm hyped for book five (and six!)... Based on the series so far, I have no doubt that it'll reach an epic conclusion.
saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Seraphin and his aethership make it to Mars and find a world teeming with strange life forms and weird versions of aetherite that solidify after you walk through a seeming puddle. Searching for the previous Prussian expedition turns up no survivors, including Seraphin’s father. But Gubbard reveals the true nastiness of his plan to get Seraphin and the others to agree to go to Mars in the first place, and it is steeped in deception! Seraphin is wounded and wakes up abandoned by his fellows. He stumbles upon what he thinks is a winged beast, badly injured, but still he feels the need to save the creature from being a feast to other beasts. The creature ends up being a prominent figure in a fractured Martian society, one half dying out, the other exiled to the desert.
Mars is a beautifully imagined world that readers can dive into if they just suspend disbelief and let themselves be engrossed by Alice’s illustrations. There is also a poignant criticism on the pitfalls of exploration - after discovery comes exploitation - and it is a sentiment that rings true throughout history. Alice once again leaves us with a stupendous cliffhanger, and the translation of volume five is not even on the horizon yet.
Alice's watercolors continue to be absolutely stunning, especially now that we have gotten to the rich environment on Mars. The Martian beings are beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 5-8
Seraphin and his aethership make it to Mars and find a world teeming with strange life forms and weird versions of aetherite that solidify after you walk through a seeming puddle. Searching for the previous Prussian expedition turns up no survivors, including Seraphin’s father. But Gubbard reveals the true nastiness of his plan to get Seraphin and the others to agree to go to Mars in the first place, and it is steeped in deception! Seraphin is wounded and wakes up abandoned by his fellows. He stumbles upon what he thinks is a winged beast, badly injured, but still he feels the need to save the creature from being a feast to other beasts. The creature ends up being a prominent figure in a fractured Martian society, one half dying out, the other exiled to the desert.
Mars is a beautifully imagined world that readers can dive into if they just suspend disbelief and let themselves be engrossed by Alice’s illustrations. There is also a poignant criticism on the pitfalls of exploration - after discovery comes exploitation - and it is a sentiment that rings true throughout history. Alice once again leaves us with a stupendous cliffhanger, and the translation of volume five is not even on the horizon yet.
Alice's watercolors continue to be absolutely stunning, especially now that we have gotten to the rich environment on Mars. The Martian beings are beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 5-8
earth_and_silver's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
A fun and beautifully rendered aetherpunk adventure story. I would enjoy seeing more, if given the opportunity.
vikologia's review against another edition
5.0
The most amazing graphic novels about cosmic adventures I have ever read :) Highly recommend these books to every fan of adventure stories, graphic novels, sci-fi and steampunk!
elyana's review
5.0
Le précédent tome était en deçà de mes attentes, mais pour moi ce tome 4 et l'arrivée de nos protagonistes sur Mars insuffle un nouveau souffle à la série !
Les planches d'Alex Alice sont véritablement sublimes : le mélange de couleurs froides aux quelques touches rougeâtres transporte le lecteur dans cette nouvelle atmosphère martienne.
La bande de Séraphin fait face à l'inconnue de cette planète et découvre son peuple et ses conflits internes.
Tous les personnages ont leur part dans ce tome 4 et les évènements s'enchaînent à bon rythme avec trahisons et retournements de situation jusqu'à un nouveau cliffhanger.
A voir si le troisième diptyque sera à la hauteur !
5 ⭐
Mon bookstagram
Les planches d'Alex Alice sont véritablement sublimes : le mélange de couleurs froides aux quelques touches rougeâtres transporte le lecteur dans cette nouvelle atmosphère martienne.
La bande de Séraphin fait face à l'inconnue de cette planète et découvre son peuple et ses conflits internes.
Tous les personnages ont leur part dans ce tome 4 et les évènements s'enchaînent à bon rythme avec trahisons et retournements de situation jusqu'à un nouveau cliffhanger.
A voir si le troisième diptyque sera à la hauteur !
5 ⭐
Mon bookstagram
coutures1513's review
3.0
Cet avis est le même pour chacun des 3 tomes puisque je les ai lus un à la suite de l’autre et que je trouve difficile de les évaluer individuellement. Je n’ai pas l’habitude de lire du
flyintothestorm's review against another edition
5.0
Tengo muchas ganas de seguir la serie, es preciosa.
aelurus's review
5.0
Cette série est toujours aussi parfaite. Que se soit du point de vue de l'histoire que du point de vue graphique.
Dans sa version "collector" il est quand même encore plus agréable d'observer les planches magnifique d'Alex Alice.
C'est beau, c'est épique, l'histoire est prenante et c'est un bonheur de lire à chaque fois cette aventure.
https://letmentertainyou.com/2021/08/21/le-chateau-des-etoiles-t-4-un-francais-sur-mars/
Dans sa version "collector" il est quand même encore plus agréable d'observer les planches magnifique d'Alex Alice.
C'est beau, c'est épique, l'histoire est prenante et c'est un bonheur de lire à chaque fois cette aventure.
https://letmentertainyou.com/2021/08/21/le-chateau-des-etoiles-t-4-un-francais-sur-mars/
marvelarry's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
graypeape's review against another edition
5.0
This is volume 4 of the series, and I haven't read the previous volumes, but I picked up the story well enough to follow what was happening, and well enough to wish I'd read the first three volumes! Alex Alice has done a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of planetary romance, with lots of adventure and some swashbuckling as well. Just a whole lot of steampunk fun on Mars, with a dastardly villain, capable young people, and absolutely gorgeous landscapes. The art is to-die-for beautiful, with that dreamy sort of coloring that is both subdued and vibrant at the same time, with some definite Winsor McCay vibes going on. I can't say enough about the art in this, there are spreads that will make you wish for poster versions to hang on your wall. I'll be looking for the previous volumes to get the full story so far, and I'll be looking for future volumes to see what happens next!
#CastleintheStarsAFrenchmanonMars #NetGalley
#CastleintheStarsAFrenchmanonMars #NetGalley