Book Reviews: Later Books In A Series

My Begging Chart by Keiler Roberts. Drawn & Quarterly, 2021. 9781770464582. 156pp.

I think the first of Roberts books full of autobiographical comics I read was Sunburning (Koyama). I’m so happy D&Q are publishing her now — there’s no one that captures ridiculous and real moments like Roberts. You can see a few at http://keilerroberts.com/ You can start with any volume, really, but ask your library to buy this one.

And if, after reading one of Roberts’ books you also want to read them all, order her first two self published collections, Miseryland and Powdered Milk, from cartoonist John Porcellino’s The Spit and a Half Company at http://www.spitandahalf.com/?s=keiler+roberts Bonus: Porcellino addressed the envelope to me himself, in his handwriting, which populates his comics and zines. I doubt I’ll ever be able to bring myself to throw away the envelope.

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik. (Sequel to A Deadly Education). Del Rey, 2021. 9780593128862. 400pp.

A fresh take on a high school for wizards narrated by someone who’s magical gift is apocalyptic. She’s a loner full of attitude trying not to fall into a relationship with the school’s hero while surviving her senior year and, ultimately, trying to do something amazing. Read A Deadly Education first, and let me know what you thought about the end of this one if you’ve read it (without spoiling it for everyone, please).

Blood of the Chosen (Burningblade & Silvereye Book 2) by Django Wexler. Orbit, 2021. 9780316519625. 480pp.

The second book in this series was a fun read, and I’m still determined to get anyone who likes Star Wars to read this series. Things lead to another meeting of the siblings at the heart of the series (they’re on opposite sides of a conflict). It might make sense to you if you skipped the first book, but don’t, it’s too good to miss.

 

The Empire’s Ruin (Ashes of the Unhewn Throne Book 1) by Brian Staveley. Tor, 2021. 9780765389909. 752pp.

This is the start of a new series set in the world of Staveley’s The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne. It centers around two minor characters in that trilogy, but reading it first would spoil the ending of those three epic, inventive fantasy novels. Go back and start with the first in that series, The Emperor’s Blades. Worth noting: These books are very violent. And a large part of this one takes place in a previously unseen continent.

 

 

 

Destroy All Monsters (a Reckless book) by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Image, 2021. 9781534319240.

The third original graphic novel in the Reckless series is better than the first two because longtime collaborators Brubaker and Phillips are always at the top of their game. If you like crime stories or graphic novels (or, like me, both) you’re going to love the way Ethan Reckless handles himself and the problems he takes care of.

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