Review of "Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Damian Duffy and John Jennings"

As a huge fan of Octavia Butler I picked up this graphic novel adaptation having never read the original text. After finishing “Kindred”, it’s definitely worth it to revisit the source material if you’re curious or just a completionist. However, this graphic novel has enough depth in its story to leave the casual reader completely satisfied. It’s unsettling, in a good way, making the reader question their own opinions towards slavery and why this graphic novel is particularly relevant today.

 Dana lives in California with her husband, Kevin, during the 1970s. They live a peaceful life as aspiring writers until Dana is suddenly transported back in time to the Antebellum South. Unable to even get her wits about her she’s thrust immediately into a situation where she witnesses a young boy drowning. Instinctively she jumps in the river to save him but her rescue efforts aren’t as appreciated as she might have imagined. When the boy’s parents arrive on the scene they’re horrified to discover a young black woman handling their child, especially one dressed in modern day clothing, and give their thanks by pointing a gun at her as she is transported once more, back to the future. Bewildered, Dana tries to explain to her husband what has just happened but finds she is unable to comprehend the situation herself. Who was the boy she saved? Why was she transported to that particular point in the past? As Dana’s trips back to the past become more frequent and harrowing, she comes to realize that the young boy’s identity is distinctly tied to her own and her own existence in the future. How can she survive in Antebellum south as a young black woman with a modern mind to make sure that her own progenitor survives as well?

 Octavia’s Butler’s science fiction elements lend a unique spin to the story and allows the reader to to be transported back to times of slavery and see all the hardships each character faces while still being removed from it. The graphic novel’s use of sepia coloring is very minimal, making Dana’s bright blue aura stick out a bright beacon of the future but also making her more susceptible to scrutiny as she navigates the time, culture, and role of women on a Maryland plantation in the early 1800s, including daily beatings, slave auctions, families being torn apart, and the struggle to survive. Butler also creates her white, slave owning characters to be almost sympathetic as well the more Dana visits her ancestor, Rufus, and sees him grow up. Will Dana’s influence of modern times impact how Rufus treats his slaves or will he never be able to break free from the culture of his time? Such questions lend an extra level of moral quandary that the reader must face as the story unfolds goes on. This haunting tale is best suited of mature readers due to the graphic nature of its content.

Fans of this graphic novel would also do well to check out the rest of Octavia Butler’s repertoire, including her dystopian duo “Parable of the Sower” and “Parable of the Talents” and her story about a half vampire-half human named Shori in “Fledgling”. For a non-fiction tie-in, check out “12 Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup. Overall rating: 5 stars. This graphic novel is phenomenal and should be included as a tie-in for schools who use the original novel "Kindred" as required reading.

Overall rating: 5 stars. This book was phenomenal!

Review of A. G. Howard's "RoseBlood"

I am a huge fan of A. G. Howard after reading "Splintered" the first book in her delightfully dark and twisted "Alice in Wonderland" universe. I was ecstatic when she announced she was writing a YA reboot/companion to Gaston Leroux's famous novel, "Phantom of the Opera". My review, written for Netgalley, is below. Let me know what you thought in the comments!
WARNING SOME SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD.

You’re “not stepping into a musical. It’s a horror story. With a side of obsession and gore.” - Rune

A. G. Howard’s much anticipated literary tribute to classic musical phantom who transcended screen and print is eerily dark and mysterious. When I first saw the cover reveal on her twitter account I was ecstatic but also wary. There have been many adaptations of Gaston Leroux’s novel (including the infamous musical and its lesser known sequel, “Love Never Dies” by Andrew Lloyd Weber). Considering the power of its fanbase, how would Howard’s young adult novel hold up? If you’re a fan of Howard’s take on her Alice and Wonderland universe “Splintered” series, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’ve never read or seen Phantom of the Opera fear not. Howard expertly interweaves her characters’ backgrounds to draw in the reader to the new retelling without alienating them. There are also plenty of allusions for hard core phantom fans. From the text:  “In the Phantom Book, a similar roof played a pivotal and romantic role in the storytime. It’s where Christine met with Raoul and claimed their undying love”.

Rune Germain is a phenomenal singer but is cursed by a mysterious ailment that leaves her  drained and often renders her unconscious after she performs, specifically arias and operas. As a child this ostracizes her from her friends and leads to two attempted murders by her insane grandmother in an attempt to “purify” Rune. The only way Rune finds peace is by learning to garden with her father and singing along to his Stradivarious symphonies.  But a tragic accident involving Rune leaves a teenage boy hospitalized and Rune’s mother believes the best way to cure her daughter is by honing her talent, not concealing it. Thus, Rune agrees to spend her senior year at a music conservatory in France called “RoseBlood” where she hopes to at last tame her musical demons. More so, Rune hopes to discover what the truth is behind the rumors that her new school has ties to Leroux’s infamous “Phantom of the Opera”, her musical idol.

Upon arriving at RoseBlood Rune catches a glimpse of a mysterious figure in the garden who seems to make flowers wilt with his touch. She is startled to discover that he wears a white half mask just like the Phantom! Rune also befriends a delightful, if vaguely flushed out caricature, cast of secondary characters. This includes a mysterious boy named Thorn whose violin playing skills calm her violent episodes, just like her father’s playing once did. But Thorn’s ominous past and mysterious, rich benefactor threaten to unearth his ulterior motives to befriending Rune. As much as they fight it Thorn and Rune begin to fall for one another as a darker mystery unfolds that entwines both of their fates, and the phantom’s.

Here are a few things I didn’t like: The pacing of this novel is incredibly slow. You don’t even begin to unwrap Thorn’s backstory and connect his character to the overall plot until 60% of the way through the book. Also, I feel like Howard tried to tie in too many mystical/supernatural elements into her characters.

(psychic vampires, succubus, AND twin flame soulmates?!?!?). Also, The Phantom in himself is a tertiary character whose redemption arch is resolved in a matter of seconds.

The main point of the story seems to be about Thorn and Rune’s ethereal and blossoming relationship and the secondary characters seem like wooden props that are underdeveloped.

As far as the writing style, Howard paints a vivid, gothic landscape and her imagery is exquisite, “Glistening trees bend over us like sequined actors taking their final bow”.  True phantom fans will rejoice and novice fans who just love gothic romances will enjoy the journey of Rune and Thorn and the modern day "Phantom of the Opera" love story. For additional phantom retellings check out “The Jumbee” by Pamela Keyes and “Phantom” by Susan Kay. For classic gothic retellings with a twist be sure to read, “The Madman’s Daughter” series by Megan Shepherd, which tackles "The Island of Dr. Moreau", "Frankenstein", and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".

Overall rating:  3.5-3.75 stars. Would definitely re-read. It has a good story but it was presented like fluffy fanfic so it wasn't rated higher.