heresthepencil's review against another edition
3.0
I received a galley from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ☆
I'm always weak for the Arthurian myth & here not only do we get that, but our protagonist is a girl! Queen Rani Arturus is biracial American, too (British-Indian) and sapphic. It doesn't really get much better than that, right? Not for me, at least; that was definitely enough to make me want to read this comic book.
The story starts with Rani & her parents flying to UK for a chess competition which Rani unfortunately fails. But she finds Excalibur instead so I guess it's not a completely wasted trip. From the very first page, the tale is very fast-paced. Especially in the first two issues, we're fed so! much! information! It's like the authors want us to know everything all at once - granted, it happens like that for the characters, too. That's not necessarily a bad thing but what it means in this particular case, is that there isn't a single arc that gets properly fleshed out. Idea gets introduced after an idea and before we get used to one, we already have to deal with three more. It gets really confusing at times & kinda makes the reader tired. Plus, it also makes it way harder to actually care about the characters...
Basically what we get from The Once and Future Queen is a story packed with Great Ideas. I mean, the modern setting alone already makes things interesting & then on top of that, the ruler being a teenage girl is enough to make a cool retelling all on its own! But there are so many ideas. So many. There are just not enough pages in the book to give justice to all of them and I really wish it could slow down a bit, let us appreciate the things we were given. As it stands, we're just kind of left with this feeling of wasted potential.
2.5 ☆
I'm always weak for the Arthurian myth & here not only do we get that, but our protagonist is a girl! Queen Rani Arturus is biracial American, too (British-Indian) and sapphic. It doesn't really get much better than that, right? Not for me, at least; that was definitely enough to make me want to read this comic book.
The story starts with Rani & her parents flying to UK for a chess competition which Rani unfortunately fails. But she finds Excalibur instead so I guess it's not a completely wasted trip. From the very first page, the tale is very fast-paced. Especially in the first two issues, we're fed so! much! information! It's like the authors want us to know everything all at once - granted, it happens like that for the characters, too. That's not necessarily a bad thing but what it means in this particular case, is that there isn't a single arc that gets properly fleshed out. Idea gets introduced after an idea and before we get used to one, we already have to deal with three more. It gets really confusing at times & kinda makes the reader tired. Plus, it also makes it way harder to actually care about the characters...
Basically what we get from The Once and Future Queen is a story packed with Great Ideas. I mean, the modern setting alone already makes things interesting & then on top of that, the ruler being a teenage girl is enough to make a cool retelling all on its own! But there are so many ideas. So many. There are just not enough pages in the book to give justice to all of them and I really wish it could slow down a bit, let us appreciate the things we were given. As it stands, we're just kind of left with this feeling of wasted potential.
theybedax's review against another edition
5.0
Reasons to love this book:
Honest queer characters!
Bisexual character(s?)
Ace character
Polyamorous characters!
WOC
Strong female characters (emotionally, physically, mentally)
This was a phenomenal story that made me laugh, and gasp in excitement. This was a GN that wasn't afraid to play with gender roles, stories that people love, and normative ideas on relationships. I loved the color palette changes between our world and the world of fae. I also appreciated the fact that our main character is a great strategist and that's the role they're playing out. Now to see if they can save humanity!
Honest queer characters!
Bisexual character(s?)
Ace character
Polyamorous characters!
WOC
Strong female characters (emotionally, physically, mentally)
This was a phenomenal story that made me laugh, and gasp in excitement. This was a GN that wasn't afraid to play with gender roles, stories that people love, and normative ideas on relationships. I loved the color palette changes between our world and the world of fae. I also appreciated the fact that our main character is a great strategist and that's the role they're playing out. Now to see if they can save humanity!
thingslucyreads's review against another edition
3.0
A high three. I was all in for Rani/Gwen/Lance polyamory. Also I wish I’d read this years ago bc Lance is ace and it explicitly states that asexual does not mean incapable of/uninterested in a romantic relationship and in 2017 seeing that on a page would have been groundbreaking (for me).
But the rest of the plot was just sort of…idk. It was there. I didn’t feel much about it.
But the rest of the plot was just sort of…idk. It was there. I didn’t feel much about it.
mohan_vee's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun quick read with a modern and quirky take on the Arthur tale.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
Oh yeah, this is good. POC character who is at LGBT and heir to Excalibur. Count me in.
captwinghead's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very diverse book featuring a lead woman of color, asexual characters and two wlw. It's an interesting retelling of the tale of King Arthur. It is my understanding that this book was pulled before it really got the chance to take off and that's a shame. Its a very unique style and I think it's very brave.
The art style is not one I'm used to but it's very charming. I appreciate that it reminds me of a story book. The plot is pretty easy to follow, although I felt as though it moved a little too fast, particularly with how quickly everyone adjusted to Gwen being a part of their lives. This whole thing reads like a crazy dream and that's probably what appealed to me the most about it. It was fun, it was adorable and it explicitly talked about asexuality and what that means. So, I give it props for that, although it probably won't be on my top 10 at the end of the year.
3 stars.
The art style is not one I'm used to but it's very charming. I appreciate that it reminds me of a story book. The plot is pretty easy to follow, although I felt as though it moved a little too fast, particularly with how quickly everyone adjusted to Gwen being a part of their lives. This whole thing reads like a crazy dream and that's probably what appealed to me the most about it. It was fun, it was adorable and it explicitly talked about asexuality and what that means. So, I give it props for that, although it probably won't be on my top 10 at the end of the year.
3 stars.
captwinghead's review
4.0
This is a great start! The Once and Future Queen is a mixed race bisexual woman. Gwen is incredibly brave and has a crush on her! I am intrigued!
This is probably the most interesting version of Merlin I've seen!
Definitely picking up the next one!
This is probably the most interesting version of Merlin I've seen!
Definitely picking up the next one!
noesmariana's review against another edition
3.0
i didn’t even finish it. it weirdly had everything i wanted but was so anti-climactic? it didn’t capture my attention
heypretty52's review
4.0
Very cool concept. I'm curious to see where this goes. (And I love the art.)
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