The Walking Dead: All Out War Story Arc

It's been announced that starting October we will get an issue every 2 weeks to cover the new story arc that will appear in October. Expect regular reviews of issues leading up to this and I will also be covering this entire story arc, giving a review for each issue then an overall review for the arc once it's done.

Graceling - Kristin Cashore.

The word 'awesome' is what springs to mind when asked to describe Kristin Cashore's "Graceling". It's fiery, it's action-filled, it has a touch of everything I could want from a book. Definitely top ten material.

First published in October of 2008, I received "Graceling" as a Christmas gift. Having not picked it out myself, it was an interesting-looking novel, and I trusted the giver of the gift implicitly. I picked it up, on that same Christmas day, and promptly lost myself in its pages - I had finished it by evening.

"Graceling" is slotted into the 'fantasy' and 'romance' genres - it focuses on a world other than our own, a world where 'gracelings', well, grace the land... and are shunned for their differences. These 'gracelings' are humans gifted with inhuman abilities - told apart from the non-'gracelings' by their different coloured eyes. A 'graceling' has two alternately coloured eyes. Katsa, the heroine of "Graceling", has one blue eye and one green eye - and a startling Grace (ability). Her Grace is the power of 'killing', discovered when she was just a child and resulting in her being one of the most feared in all of the land. However, as the King's niece, she is a recognised tool of His Majesty, used to oppress his peers and lower lords. Using the only methods of rebellion she can, Katsa frequently defies her Uncle's 'jobs', and works for a Council opposing his ruling. It is on one such defiant mission for the Council, that Katsa meets a fellow 'graceling', Po. A Lienid (one kingdom within the land) prince, Po and Katsa tumble into a riotous mission to find out who the kidnapper of Po's grandfather is.

Not only does Cashore prove herself to be other than one of the many new authors who continuously push themselves up, but she showcases true talent. And that true talent is a rare, rare gift. She writes with the passion and fluency of one who knows that they are good at what they do - and enjoys it. Her style is addictive and of such a high quality - which continues through into "Fire", her second novel.

Highly recommended, and easily a nine or ten out of ten, this book is a contender for top in my heart - Kristin Cashore has managed to capture many a reader's attention span, and for such a beginner in the world of words - I expect high things from this writer, and am sure she won't disappoint.

"Graceling" is Cashore's debut novel - followed by "Fire" (2009), and most recently - "Bitterblue" (2012).

Walking Dead Issue #102 Review!

 

The Walking Dead issue 102 is the sixth part of the Something To Fear storyline, yet again this is a much more quieter issue reflecting back on what happened in issue 100. Robert Kirkman succeeds in further building this feel that Negan is even more deadly than The Governor for the group.

 

 This issue is mainly for character development between the comics main characters,Some complain that The Walking Dead never really gives us any memorable new members of the main group anymore, the Jesus character though has proven to be a real interesting touch to the series. I believe that Jesus will be a big part of the comic in the future.

 

The issue gives us a very nice glimpse on just what exactly we can expect in the near future for The Walking Dead, this build up to the final showdown is really paying off for building anticipation.

 

Charlie Adlard may have had a tough time this issue due to the fact the entire issue is characters talking , the facial expressions though really represent just how members of the group are feeling in this situation they are facing.

 

Even though issue 102 is not a all out war, it really has the reader excited for the future of The Walking Dead and the rivalry between Rick and Negan, though this issue does lack any defining moment really to help it stand out from other issues.

 

8.5/10

+Character development

+Good build of tension

-No defining moment in this issue

Welcome!

Welcome to Two and a Half Penguins! On this blog we will be posting reviews for TV, movies, books, comics and games! Let us introduce ourselves!

Heather is a book maniac and a real lover of love films! William loves any animation film you chuck at him, he also runs the popular A113Animation blog, so go check that out! I'm Jonathan I love videogames and I also love a good action film! I'm also a Walking Dead maniac and own my own (not so popular) The Walking Dead blog!

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- Jonathan