Here is my extremely late June Lootcrate Unboxing this month’s theme is Alter-Ego and includes items from Transformers, Spiderman, Hulk and Jekyll and Hyde. Let me know what you think of the items and the video in the comments below and if you subscribe!
This is a collection of short stories, poems and comic strips all to do with human rights and freedom. These incredibly inspirational stories are from Frances Hardinge, Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell, Matt Haig and many more fantastic authors, illustrators and poets.
HERE IS A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
I Believe by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell
The first story I want to talk about is I Believe by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell. Although this is only a few pages and few words it conveys the most powerful message of all which is about freedom of speech and imagination. It is just so simple but also powerful and beautiful.
The Invention of Peanut Butter by Matt Haig
I really enjoyed this story as it was about a town that lived on peanuts but then someone started to innovate and make peanut butter but someone has been eating more than his fair share I wonder who it could be? He managed to encompass so many issues with just a peanut which is true for modern-day society you take away something essential to our lives and we go into chaos. Beautifully written story with a powerful message.
Stay Home by Sita Brahmachari
It was such a heartbreaking story written with such compassion. It is about a girl who has to support and care for her mother while being a child. It just showed how important it is to support and having family around at hard times but also that we need to do something to help relieve the pressure from these children.
A Suicide Bomber Sits in the Library by Jack Gantos
This story is about this young boy is a suicide bomber and he is just sitting in the library observing and contemplating his task. I cried after reading this story you just felt so much anger and emotion but at the same time there was a beauty in his words.
Bystander by Frances Hardinge
This story is about modern-day witchcraft as this girl is being accused of being a witch and their methods of excommunication are appalling. This was for me a very enlightening story as I knew of it still being around but not to the extent that this story explains. So stunningly written and hopefully will raise a lot of awareness to stop this torture in modern-day life.
Speaking Out for Freedom by Chelsea Manning
This was an interview with Chelsea Manning about how she leaked information she gained from the US army. This interview was so sad but thought-provoking in the way we look at freedom of opinion and expression.
Sludge by Sarah Crossan
It was another heartbreaking story about an oil spill that happens near Rax and Sula’s families homes and it turns their worlds upside down. I loved that she intertwined friendship into the story it gave it so much more depth. This story also made me so angry because there was no responsibility taken by those who made the spill happen. So there is no one sent in to help repair the village so the people of the village have to move on. Not only that but the nature of the village may never repair to its original state. It just shows the devastation of the modern world when help is not given.
My Thoughts:
This collection of short stories broke me emotionally and opened my eyes to situations in the world that I had no idea about. They are all beautifully written with such power and depth of understanding. These were just some of my favourite stories but there are many more fabulous stories, poems and comic strip in this book. Hopefully if you read this book it will inspire you to help Amnesty International in any of their projects even the smallest bit helps. I do have to say one more thing Frances Hardinge and Sarah Crossan stories were beautifully written and I really think they should be their next books!
If you have read Here I Stand or are wanting to read it and have any questions let me know in the comments below. Also on Amnesty International’s website they have teachers notes for these stories here is the link:
If you are looking for a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW check out this video on my Youtube channel:
Interview:
I loved that the collaboration between the creators and director is such a great relationship. It was so interesting to hear their different interpretations of each question and I love that they don’t always agree. The most intriguing point is the fact that Laureline was one of the first strong female characters in French comics as most were ‘bimbos’ as Pierre states. Not only that but their discussion of their relationship with the characters which was fascinating as one is easier to writer than the other. I love that there is more of this interview coming can’t wait for more!
History:
The history is written by Stan Barets it is very interesting and he writes it as a story which is a joy to read. It was very interesting to hear about the substaintial similarities in Star Wars from Valerian well inspiration has to come from somewhere I guess. I love that they went to America to escape the dullness of France how hilarious. I enjoyed the fact that there are so many people who have called their children Laureline and Valerian. Some fantastic points in this mini history of the comic and creators I hope there is more to coming!
Bad Dreams:
I loved this comic it was witty and hilarious with an amazingly imaginative world. The artwork was beautiful so detailed and defined I really enjoyed it because every box looked like a cinematic scene. I loved that the colours of the comic worked beautifully and made the drawings come to life even more. The palette of colours throughout drew you more into the comic.
There was lots of dialogue in this comic which I’m not used in other comics I read, but I loved it because I started out with books first. The length of the dialogue really helped bring the wittiness to life. I love how the dialogue is about weirdest things ever but the conversations sounds so normal. Superintendent has the best lines he’s just so irritated all the time which makes his lines hilarious.
In terms of the plot for the first issue, I loved it almost taking the mic out of the middle ages with a serious mission. The mission was fantastic a combination of wizardry and taking over the galaxy what more do you want. I liked that Laureline came later in the plot as you got to see the start of their relationship which I enjoyed. I loved the ending as it was settled but you also had lots of questions on how Laureline would fit in.
In terms of characters the superintendent was a typical angry boss but so funny you just loved him by the end. Valerian was quite cocky but also kind so I was a bit on the fence about him. Laureline I loved she was stunning, strong, independent and fiesty. Jirad was so sweet and nice you felt a bit sorry for him being pushed around. Xombul was such a typical greedy villain but also quite funny mainly because he really didn’t know what he was doing so a bit of a farcical villain. Overall, a great start to the volume with great characters and an imaginative story.
The City of Shifting Waters:
I love the colours in this issue the blues are stunning especially in the scenes in downtown New York. The colours throughout the comic are so beautiful its like looking at a sunset for the whole story. The artwork is mostly very dark in the sense of the colour, the people and buildings have a lot less colour in them and also less detailed which gave it a mysterious look.
The dialogue in this issue is more serious which works well with the plot as Xombul is back and causing havoc. My favourite dialogue is between Valerian and Sun Rae such a bolshie and funny character.
The plot of this issue as it is only half finished because it is in two parts. The first half was thrilling and exciting on how Xombul was connected to this post apocolyptic New York. I loved that Laureline swept in and rescued Valerian mainly because she is from the eleventh century and is super badass now. I really enjoyed that Sun Rae and crew played such a major role in the development of the plot as either badies or goodies.
Sun Rae was so weird and hilarious I really liked his character. Valerian was less cocky in first part of the issue which I liked plus his alone dialogue was funny. Valerian although not huge part in the first part of this issue was badass but also she is the conscious to Valerian. Overall, this first part was mysterious and thrilling with stunning artwork of storm scenes.
Earth in Flames:
What a fabulous ending to the story the second part was thriling and revealed some interesting information. The range of colours in this second part were beautiful and gave a lot of those landscapes a breathtaking look to them. I especially loved the artwork in Yellowstone it was so beautiful to look at the rocky mountains. I also really liked the space artwork its just so spacey and pretty I just don’t have any intelligent descriptive words today lol!
I felt there was more dialogue than usual which I found a bit too much at times but the dialogue is so witty I just ignored my eyes being overwhelmed. I hope Laureline has more dialogue in the next issue as I think she doesn’t have enough in this one but I guess thats the way her personality is. I really enjoyed the dialogue of Scheoder he is sweet, so intelligent and quite funny.
In terms of the plot it had a fast pace which was great as it made the build up to the end battle so exciting. Lots of twists and turns where you thought yes they did it, then no something else goes wrong which kept you interested throughout. Then the ending was satisfying but I felt like Xombul could have gone out with more of a bang. I also felt that instead of somber moment with Valerian at the end I wanted a wise crack from Valerian.
Valerian I enjoyed more in this issue as he developed more as a character. Laureline was funny in this issue especially with her shrinking incident but I still wanted more development from her character as a whole. Schroeder was such an interesting character and quite funny a great addition to this issue. Xombul was not as powerful as I was expecting him to be, he felt quite defeated which was interesting to see from a Villain. The ranch guy (he doesn’t have a name or at least not that I could find!) he was so cool, calm and always said the right thing I would love it if he was going to come back. Overall, a fantastic second part to this issue exciting, kept you on your toes and a great adventure with stunning landscapes!
The Empire of A Thousand Planets:
This was my favourite issue yet I think it is because it had so much relatability to the issues going on in our earth. The artwork OMG even more stunning than the last two issues. I loved that there was more full page artwork in this issue it really made the battle scenes dramatic and stunning. I loved the artwork on the first page it was so simple and effective. Every artwork throughout this issue was so colourful and bright I loved it. Marcyam what an awesome sea creature kind of reminded me of Chinese New Year dragon which is why I liked it so much. The Enligtened were so creepy and a bit scary looking which made them great villains.
The ice storm was so beautiful and sharp such a fantastic addition to the plot. The battle scene were drawn with such epicness and looked so action packed which kept that thrill of the story. When the Enlightened were revealed their true selves wow so horrible to look at but also quite intriguing to look at.
There was less dialogue in this issue which worked well as there was a lot more action in it. The dialogue at the end between the Enlightened and Valerian was sad but also had this important humaritarian message which I liked. The dialogue between Valerian and Laureline was a lot better as it had more wit and teasing to it.
The plot was fantastic kept you gripped to your seat the whole time and I did not put it down at all. The epicness of the conflict between the Enlightened and Syrte residents was very much in connection to a lot of our history which made the story so much more intriguing towards the end. I liked the ending I thought it was very poignant.
Valerian was much more get up and go on this mission compared to other mission which I liked. Laureline had a lot more involvement and development which made me like her character evenmore. Elimir was interesting as you kind of didn’t know what his end game was in terms leadership and the future of Syrte. The Enlightened were intriguing and at first awful creatures but by the end you understood them and at a point felt sorry for them. Overall, the best issue yet with a thrilling plot, fabulous artwork and a surprising ending!
Let me know if you have read this collection what you thought of it or if you are fan of Valerian or Cinebook let me know!
Zen Starling is a kid who lives in the future and is not understood by anyone at least that’s what he thinks. But when he gets in trouble and he meets Raven. Who will give him a way out that will change his life forever. Will he take that chance and ride the royal train to find the ultimate piece of the puzzle to the universe?
If you are looking for a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW check out my review on my Youtube channel.
Style of Writing:
I really liked that it was in third person instead of first because withRailhead the world is so much of the story and a character in itself that it worked to its advantage. I loved that all the parts of the world whether it is thetrainsor theGuardiansthey were explained just enough to grasp the concept but also to let your imagination completely run wild with possibilities of what it looked like in your head.
Themes:
I love the theme oftrainswhen I was a kid my parents used to take me on thosesteam trainrides so awesome! So this is the book I have wanted since I was a kid and now I have it! It istraintastic! I loved the SCI-FI future theme in this book because it was not fantastical but quite realistic in terms of the fact that this could be a possible future. The theme of friendship was beautifully written especially betweenZenandNova.
Characters:
Zen Starlingwas a great character. He was just a lost kid at the start then he develops throughout the story into this strong character.NovaI absolutely loved as a character because she was so loyal toZenand quite human in her personality.RavenI didn’t like as a person but as a villain he was really good.Threnodyfor me was too annoying in the beginning but I grew to like her at the end of the book. The trains were epic;Damask RoseandThought Fox such fantastic characters with their own bolshie personalities. Also I lovedUncle Bugs.
Plot:
The plot was fantastic so thrilling and exciting loved every minute of it. I was always waiting and wondering what was round the corner on the next page in the adventure. I really like that you didn’t always know ifZenandNovawere going to make it which kept the suspense going throughout. The ending was great because it felt like you ended a chapter but there was so much more to explore so you didn’t feel like there was nothing to look forward to.
My Thoughts:
I can’t do this book justice in a few words its just absolutely amazingly and fantasticallytraintastic! It is just fun and thrilling story filled with great story of friendship and finding yourself and your place in your world. Great for children’s fiction, SCI-FI and train lovers.
Comment below if you have read Railheador interested in reading it or to let me know what you thought of thereview!
Hey everyone let me know in the comments if you are going to any of the events I have talked about. If I have missed any events out that I should have put in let me know in the comments. Here are all the links to all the events I have talked about:
Here are all the comics I will be reading in June I now this is very late I apologise my boyfriend’s pool has been taking up a lot my attention due to the hot weather. However, I am still on track with my comic reading so will be finished my pile by the end of the month. Let me know what comics you are reading this month and if you have read any in my pile in the comments below but no spoilers please. Hope you are enjoying the hot weather! Here are all the goodreads link for all the comics talked about in the video:
Hey everyone here is my June TBR with the links down below. Comment below and let me know what you are reading in June and if you have read any of the books on my list but no spoilers!
