Today, quick reviews of Hamlet II-Ophelia's Revenge by David Bergantino, Butterfly vol 1 by Yu Aikawa and Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis.
Author: David Bergantino
Series: Bard's Blood
Published: 4 February 2003 by Pocket Books
Warnings: sex and gore
Source: bought
Review: Cameron’s father was murdered, his ghost tells him his aunt did it, and he randomly inherits Elsinore Castle, which he’ll get control of when he turns 21. He and his friends go to Elsinoret o celebrate. So, bunch of young adults, alcohol, and fun times. But there’s a problem-the ghost of a girl who drowned centuries ago is back, and she wants her Hamlet.
I love Hamlet so much. This was an impulse buy because it was Hamlet and it was cheap. I wasn’t really expecting much.
Part of this is a straight adaptation of Hamlet shoved into a modern day setting, which I am not against in the slightest. The names got adapted ok (Laertes becomes Larry, Gertrude becomes Geri, the theatre players become rock band The Playaz) apart from Cameron, which is seriously random compared to Hamlet.
Ophelia in this, is a ghost who leads to some very big things happening. She’s interesting as ever, and is the one who develops most as she possesses various people.
The writing isn’t amazing, and some parts of the book seem a bit forced.
Overall: Strength 2 tea to a quick, spooky redo of Hamlet.
Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Author website |
Title: Butterfly
Author: Yu Aikawa
Series: Butterfly #1
Published: 1 March 2011 by Tokyopop
Warnings: suicide, violence
Source: bought
Review: Ginji is
highly against anything to do with the occult, due to the fact that he is
haunted by the ghost of his brother, who killed himself. When he gets into an
fight at a haunted mansion, which leads to them demanding bills and
reparations, he has no way to pay up. Until a child called Ahega shows up and
asks him to help out. Ginji can earn 20000 Yen a job-with the job being
ghostbusting!
This was cheap at the Tokyopop stall. I got it not
knowing what to expect. It was better than I thought it would be. There’s some
humour from the awkward train of thought that Ginji has when wondering about
the job, and other little spots here and
then. Ginji and Ahega complement each other well in terms of abilities
(destroying and creating illusions respectively). Ginji shows more depth now,
but I’d like Ahega to have more development later-there’s an interesting
backstory coming. The characters in the short-bit-mystery (the swimming
chapter) were also well developed.
Overall: Strength 3 tea to a supernatural manga with promise.
Title: Hard Spell
Author: Justin Gustainis
Series: Occult Crimes Unit Investigation #1
Published: 26 July 2011 by angry Robot
Warnings: violence, suggestive situations,
Source: bought
Review: Detective
Stan Markowzi is on the Scranton’s Police Department’s Occult Crimes Unit. He
does exactly what you’d expect him to do-run around dealing with it when
vampires, werewolves, faeries and the like mess up. The main plot starts when
someone gets killed with mysteriokus symbols carved on him. That someone is a
vampire. As more killings happen and some guy shows up claiming to be able to
tell them everything, Max
I remember trawling
round the internet and finding someone describing this as pararnormal
investigations taken to the extreme end of fun. definitely my thing.
Rachel was my favourite character-she was sensible, and did
a bit for plot development (pace advancement really). Stan was a good narrator
and had a tragic backstory that motivates him.
It’s definitely fun, though maybe not my kind of fun. it
takes a lot of cliches, like lesbian vampires and the white witch, which I like
in moderation but got a bit overdone in parts.
The writing plays
with sarcastic humour in places. I have huge love for the hellhound on the police
team. Called Daisy.
Overall: Strength 3 tea
to a... unique pararnormal investigation. I’ll definitely read on in the
series.
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Nina xxx