Amanda
Three stars because it's pretty dang uneven. Eli's and Kate's stories were my favorite by far. I had a hard time caring that much about Cassie and the Vision, and the other two were decent, but not outstanding.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Not something I feel the need to reread, but decent, if less Fraction-y than my favorites of his (Hawkeye!). Maybe there just isn't as much humor on Asgard. Mini-Loki was fun, as was the side story with the Broxton residents.
Another reread in trade. Stephanie Brown as Batgirl is the reason I'm a comics fan. It makes me sad that she hasn't been seen since the reboot.
Love the dialogue and characterization. Deducting a start for the Andrade art, because yeah. Everyone looks like they're melting.
Kind of a slog. Very well-written, but I cared a lot less about most of the story post-high school.
Obligatory complaint about how not a single one of these characters exists in these forms in the rebooted DC universe. When they exist at all. I want to love you, DC, but you will not let me.
... Too bad for you, I guess. Off to Marvel.
I wanted to like this a bit more than I did, but having the last part be mostly flashback kind of killed the momentum of the first half. I can see how that would work as a serial, but all in one gulp like I read, it didn't quite do it for me. Having said that, the layouts on some of these pages were absolutely stunning, and I do love Kate's backstory and that of her family. She's just not a character I've been able to find a way to connect with yet.
(read in digital, not trade)
I have a hard time reading pre-reboot DC Comics, because all these amazing female characters I adore are just GONE, and it makes me sad. None of the leads of this book are in current continuity in the form they were in here, and ... yeah. Sad.
The first two issues of this book are another stupid editorially-mandated crossover. Not a fan at all. The arc in hell is pretty damn fucked up and therefore amazing, especially what each of the team members' hell would be. Bane's plot in the last two issues seems sort of abrupt and out of nowhere, but it's well done. The one good thing about the reboot, I guess, is that characters who were killed off in old continuity can come back. They probably won't, because if I like a character, DC editorial probably hates them, but at least it's a possibility. I'd love to see Scandal and Catman back at least.
So, I'm assuming this is the second book of a trilogy, because this didn't resolve anything, it just ended. I liked most of the characters, just like I did in the first one, but I thought the Marlene arc came from nowhere and the entire book needed more Mrs. Amberson. (And less Eric, even though he was barely in it. Yes, I hold grudges against fictional characters.) Basically, I did like this, even though this review sounds pretty negative. I love most of the characters, but the plot needed some work.
I miss the pre-reboot DC universe. This was a quick fun read with two great women characters. I love Joe Quinones's art!
Maureen Johnson is hit or miss for me, but this was a definite hit, and my favorite book of hers. I like the setting and the family dynamic (and Scarlett's brother is a great character). I know there's a sequel coming out soon, and I'll definitely be reading it. Overall, nothing earth-shattering, but light and cute and a lot of fun.ETA: reread this February 2010 after reading [b:Scarlett Fever 6138539 Scarlett Fever Maureen Johnson http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256408513s/6138539.jpg 6317320].
Better than Pursuit of Love for the sole reason that this book had more Victoria and Jassy.
Liked the first half or so more than the ending. I would really have enjoyed more focus on the relationship between Kate and Sarah, or Kate and her mother. The twist in the romance was resolved a little too easily for me as well.
I liked this, but I don't know if I'll reread, which is usually the sign of a book I really liked. I was glad that it was more about friendship and moving on than typical chicklit (which, fairly or not, I think is more about romantic relationships). The “derby = life” metaphor got a little overworked for me by the end, and some of the minor characters needed some more development, but overall, I'd recommend it.
Quick read, but a lot of fun. Don't know how it would go over with people who aren't Columbus fans, but luckily, I am. Wish the pictures had been in color and there had been a little more original material, since the majority of the book is reprints of columns published online during the season. Overall, though, I enjoyed this and it made me really hope MLS comes back on schedule.
Spoiler: Columbus wins!
Loooooooove this book, down to every last character. It's so wonderful and I want to live in Devan's world.
This book built up some pretty high stakes ... and then took them all away. Sam's crisis of faith didn't feel that authentic to me, either. I could easily have read an entire book about just her family situation, but these other plots made it feel both overstuffed and somehow too slow? I don't know.
Did y'all know Diana Mitford was very very beautiful? I guess that makes marrying a fascist okay.