nglofile's review
3.0
The nonlinear storytelling is an interesting choice, especially the manner in which it is executed, but the narrative itself just seems much too thin (as do many of these graphic novel continuations). I wanted much more for Shepherd Book's backstory, and now that these events are established we're unlikely to get it. Mildly intriguing, yet disappointing at the same time.
jacobinreads's review
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Short and (bitter)sweet. Might be the best of the comics I've read so far. Does a great job of fleshing out Book's backstory and putting some interesting motivations to an interesting character, while keeping the reader hooked from page to page.
pagesofpins's review
3.0
I liked how the story was laid out, moving backwards in Book's life to reveal layers of who he became. But a few things don't add up: he's a Browncoat spy, and is reluctant to tell Mal anything about his past? He's dishonorably discharged, but the Alliance is jumping to help him when his chip is scanned? This is a very short story, and though I liked it, it needed more depth. The story would make so much more sense if he was a spy who messed up his job or played for both sides more that he needed to, or led the battle that scarred Mal so much, or was giving the Alliance periodic information after his discharge. Something needed to connect the dots here.
raloveridge's review
4.0
I loved getting Book's backstory (FINALLY), but I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed. But then I remember that Book is boring, which makes me feel immediately better.
annapox's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Torture, War, Alcohol, and Confinement
Minor: Colonisation
ladyj1989's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
peterthelibrarian's review
4.0
Gave me a glimpse, but I just feel like it could have been quite a bit longer. Worth the read.
gmvader's review
4.0
I may be the only fan of ‘Firefly’ that views the cancellation of the show as a good thing. That may not make sense without explanation. The producers only recorded fourteen episodes before the show was cancelled. It has been proven – to me at least – that any show that runs sufficiently long will become stupid. I don’t watch very much television for this very reason. The biggest reason that I think it is a good thing is because of the mystery that is left unsolved.
‘Firefly’ left us with a lot of mysteries. Most of them involve the past lives of each of the characters. Shepherd Book is perhaps the most intriguing. How does he know so much about guns and military strategy and equipment? How does he know what an operative is and how the Alliance will react?
My opinion on those mysteries is that those are the things that make Firefly so compelling to people. If all those things were told or revealed then it would no longer be as interesting – the mystery is bigger than the answer. This isn’t always true – sometimes having the mystery revealed is essential to making the story fulfilling, but sometimes the answer will only leave you feeling unsatisfied. This is one of those times.
Because of that I resisted reading the Serenity comics for a long time.
It turns out I was right.
The Shepherd’s Tale was well written with great artwork that made the story flow and from one scene to the next. It’s told in a very interesting style that transitions the Shepherd Book farther and farther back in time with little scene links that are incredibly smooth.
The big reveal however, isn’t. I have imagined a dozen more intriguing (to my mind) reasons for the all of the preacher’s military and political knowledge and the story contained in this book about his past seems (again to my mind) bland by comparison. This is one of those mysteries in a story that should not be revealed – because the minds of the fans will make up something better than the writers ever could. It’s a brilliant piece of story telling that was set up to fail from the beginning.
‘Firefly’ left us with a lot of mysteries. Most of them involve the past lives of each of the characters. Shepherd Book is perhaps the most intriguing. How does he know so much about guns and military strategy and equipment? How does he know what an operative is and how the Alliance will react?
My opinion on those mysteries is that those are the things that make Firefly so compelling to people. If all those things were told or revealed then it would no longer be as interesting – the mystery is bigger than the answer. This isn’t always true – sometimes having the mystery revealed is essential to making the story fulfilling, but sometimes the answer will only leave you feeling unsatisfied. This is one of those times.
Because of that I resisted reading the Serenity comics for a long time.
It turns out I was right.
The Shepherd’s Tale was well written with great artwork that made the story flow and from one scene to the next. It’s told in a very interesting style that transitions the Shepherd Book farther and farther back in time with little scene links that are incredibly smooth.
The big reveal however, isn’t. I have imagined a dozen more intriguing (to my mind) reasons for the all of the preacher’s military and political knowledge and the story contained in this book about his past seems (again to my mind) bland by comparison. This is one of those mysteries in a story that should not be revealed – because the minds of the fans will make up something better than the writers ever could. It’s a brilliant piece of story telling that was set up to fail from the beginning.