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145th out of 189 books
—
43 voters
Castle Waiting, Vol. 2 (Castle Waiting Omnibus Collection #2)
by
Linda Medley
Unexpected visitors to the Castle result in the discovery and exploration of secret passageways, not to mention an epic bowling tournament. A quest for ladies' underpants, an argument about the "manly arts," and an escape-prone goat are just a few of the other elements in this delightful sequel to the bestselling Castle Waiting Volume One.
Hardcover, Graphic Novel Collection, 375 pages
Published
December 6th 2010
by Fantagraphics Books
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Oct 06, 2011
Estara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who love fairy tales and who enjoy social narratives with interesting and strong females
Finally the collection! We'll get an in-depth flashback into Jain's child- and girlhood and otherwise the action this time around really centers around the castle and its characters. We get new visitors and more in-depth to a lot of the inhabitants and discover (?) an inhabitant that the others don't believe in ^^. And meanwhile there's the search for the proper place to move mother and new-born son and the actual move and some bowling and some traps in the castle... and and and...
ETA: I do have...more
ETA: I do have...more
3 likes · like · see review
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Although there were things I wish had been different with the first volume (more Jain, less Bearded Nun) I really quite liked it. I was really enjoying this one also, (although again, wishing to see more about Jain) but it seemed to have lost a little something and then it just. Ended. Abrupt, out of nowhere, just done. It was frustrating, because there nothing is answered. I looked online after finishing and saw that there are apparently more parts published online, but I sort of doubt that I w...more
Full review posted on Across the Litoverse
Once again, Castle Waiting's doors are thrown wide to the loveable outcasts and old friends of Linda Medley's core characters in this unforgettable fairytale realm. As the collection opens, Rackham—the castle steward—takes Jain and baby Pindar on a tour of Castle Waiting's labyrinthine tower so the duo can select their new rooms. Meanwhile, unexpected visitors arrive at the front gates, which leads to the discovery and exploration of secret passageways t...more
Once again, Castle Waiting's doors are thrown wide to the loveable outcasts and old friends of Linda Medley's core characters in this unforgettable fairytale realm. As the collection opens, Rackham—the castle steward—takes Jain and baby Pindar on a tour of Castle Waiting's labyrinthine tower so the duo can select their new rooms. Meanwhile, unexpected visitors arrive at the front gates, which leads to the discovery and exploration of secret passageways t...more
Ohhhh these graphic novels are like cookies. Book cookies. Nom nom nom nom. The kind of book cookie you don't know you're craving until you see it on the shelf. I guess they're like cookies that someone else is making and you don't realize until you smell them baaaaaaaking and all of a sudden you NEED one. And then you get one and it is delicious and you are filled with a sense of peace.
Huh.
That metaphor worked out better than they usually do.
Anyhow... it's sort of hard to write a review for Cas...more
Huh.
That metaphor worked out better than they usually do.
Anyhow... it's sort of hard to write a review for Cas...more
I wish this volume had continued the whole fairy tale retelling set up the first volume had. This time it was more of the day to day life in the castle and the back stories and interactions between the characters.
That's not to say that was bad because I enjoyed some nuggets of information I learned, and I totally loved how they went searching through the castle and finding the hidden passages and rooms. Who didn't wish their home had secret nooks and crannies when they were a kid? I like the bow...more
That's not to say that was bad because I enjoyed some nuggets of information I learned, and I totally loved how they went searching through the castle and finding the hidden passages and rooms. Who didn't wish their home had secret nooks and crannies when they were a kid? I like the bow...more
I felt like it took forever for this book to come out. I read the first one years ago and I loved it and now that I've read the second one I love it even more. Jain and Pinder are still at the Castle and they are picking out a more permanent place for themselves. In this volume we get a lot of history about Jain and Henry. Two of Henry's family come to visit, from the dwarves that raised him, there are flashbacks for Jain and we get a little bit of how Simon's mother and father met and Dr. Fell'...more
Let me warn you that I am very angry! I get the end of this second volume only to discover that there is no end! What!? Apparently this series was cancelled and the ending of the second volume is ridiculously abrupt. There are so many loose ends that were set up for later stories that will now never be told, this is a tragedy! I’m getting super depressed!
The reason this is so upsetting is that I really enjoyed this series. The characters are quirky and funny and lovable. The dialogue is free flo...more
The reason this is so upsetting is that I really enjoyed this series. The characters are quirky and funny and lovable. The dialogue is free flo...more
Oh man am I in love with Linda Medley. The worst thing about stories like this is that at some point you either get to the end and are disappointed that you weren't in on it while it was happening - or you get to the end of what has been written and are disappointed that you've got to wait for more!
I don't know what it is about this book - there isn't a lot happening. Lots of reminiscences, lots of people living everyday lives (well, as everyday as one gets in a book of fairy tales) - but it nev...more
I don't know what it is about this book - there isn't a lot happening. Lots of reminiscences, lots of people living everyday lives (well, as everyday as one gets in a book of fairy tales) - but it nev...more
I have waited a long time for this continuation of a story and a cast of characters that I love. It did not disappoint, but boy did it leave me high and dry at the end. There is no ending to speak of; it feels as though the story arc just slipped out of the book.
I understand that there was some flak between Medley and the publisher, and I am so distressed to hear that. The woman won an Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Story for the Castle Waiting series. I have no idea what happened at Fantagraphi...more
I understand that there was some flak between Medley and the publisher, and I am so distressed to hear that. The woman won an Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Story for the Castle Waiting series. I have no idea what happened at Fantagraphi...more
This cozy fantasy series is directly aimed at women, middle-aged women who would rather sit around a fire and chat about their past than go off on risky quests. I'm usually quite impatient with such a slow plots, but something about these books draws me in. Maybe it's the quiet thoughtful details in the textures and faces, or the medieval architecture, or maybe it's the flashes of quirky humor in some of the more unique characters. Maybe because I'm actually one of those middle-aged women...
Sinc...more
Sinc...more
I would like Linda Medley to please write all the things, okay? While not quite as meaty and satisfying as Vol. 1, I was still delighted by the concluding Vol. 2. Eternally disappointed that there aren't plans for more in this universe/with this loveable cast of characters, but I am glad to finally have some degree of closure after YEARS of waiting for the full edition of Vol. 2 to be released. A charming, whimsical, female-driven collection of interwoven fairy tales that manage to be new and fr...more
More day to day adventures of the odd little community of fairy tale misfits that have taken residence in an abandoned castle.
The stories are a mix of the characters backstories and the magical and mundane things you go through trying to keep a magical castle going. Reads like a blend of Disney cartoon and sitcom.
Interesting mix of characters, all recognizable as classic background types you find in any fairy tale. Here they are fleshed out and each one is given her/his own story.
Interesting ch...more
The stories are a mix of the characters backstories and the magical and mundane things you go through trying to keep a magical castle going. Reads like a blend of Disney cartoon and sitcom.
Interesting mix of characters, all recognizable as classic background types you find in any fairy tale. Here they are fleshed out and each one is given her/his own story.
Interesting ch...more
It's been so long since volume 1 of this series came out that I have to admit, I spent the majority of this second volume trying to remember the origins of all the characters. However, I still found myself charmed by everyone living in the castle, just like I did with volume 1. I especially loved meeting the Hammerlings.
My biggest complaint, however, is that just as I finally got into the book and stopped caring that I didn't remember volume 1 clearly, it ended without any sort of closure. AND I...more
My biggest complaint, however, is that just as I finally got into the book and stopped caring that I didn't remember volume 1 clearly, it ended without any sort of closure. AND I...more
Jul 07, 2011
Rebecca Reid
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
c-kids-young-adult,
z-comics-graphic-novels
In the second installment of the fantasy comic, we learn far more of the backstory of the people who have sought refuge in the castle: Jain and her mysterious child Pindar, Henry the ironsmith, and Simple Simon, to name a few. It also introduces new characters when some visitors come to the castle. As a part of a continuing series, Castle Waiting Vol. 2 ends without resolutions, and it was a little frustrating to turn the last page. Nevertheless, this volume made me fall in love with the charact...more
First book finished in the new-year, and it wasn't hard! I think it took me two, maybe three days, but of course I'll probably read it again before the year is out, and pay more attention to the pictures! Medley does it again with this one. I turned the final page and sort of squeaked with dismay! How can I wait for the next one?! Of course, I could spend the time ordering the issues as they come out from the local comic book store, but reading them that way is almost harder for me... we'll see....more
Quite mysterious, this release doesn't have Linda Medley's name on it anywhere. I was pleased that she decided to spend more time with our main characters and reveal more of their backstory, rather than spinning off in tangent as she did in the first book (delightful as they were). But I was a little disappointed in the change from beautiful hand lettering to a serif computer font, and felt that there were a number of pages where she cheated the art. That said, even at her worst, the art is dram...more
After I finished Castle Waiting Volume I, I creepily stalked Fantagraphics’ website for news on Volume II. When it was announced Medley was finally returning to the series, I ordered and read each new issue as they were released.
But after issue 10, I decided to wait until they were compiled into a single volume before purchasing any more Castle Waiting. I hate to say it, but Volume II seemed to lag when compared to Volume I. Sure, the artwork is sill excellent, the characters are still charming...more
But after issue 10, I decided to wait until they were compiled into a single volume before purchasing any more Castle Waiting. I hate to say it, but Volume II seemed to lag when compared to Volume I. Sure, the artwork is sill excellent, the characters are still charming...more
slice-of-life fantasy - a genre there ought to be way more of. it's super pink icing on the cake that this one's a graphic novel. (technically a comic? it blows my mind that something this good was self-published for years.) although i wonder whether we're going to get any more given this mystery. and while i'm on the topic, this shaenon garrity column mentions fantagraphics as a gender equity offender. is there perchance a connection?
What the heck!?!? It's as if this stopped mid-sentence. So aggravating! I have to see if there will be more. Two new characters are introduced in this volume which reveals more of the Castle's secrets but there are still many unanswered questions, even about the Castle itself. One thing I did not like was the fact that Henry kept grunting. A lot. And he talked by using one or two words. It was annoying. That's not the Henry I just read in volume 1. We do get to know more about the Doctor, which...more
Castle Waiting is one of those rare series that doesn't come along often, taking common every day fairy tales and turning them on their heads. Linda Medley creates a captivating story and turns 2-D characters into people that you could expect to meet in real life (perhaps not as a talking horse, but still...) In this volume we get to find out about Jain's childhood and start to get an idea for who the father of her child is. We get to meet Henry's family and we learn about Dr. Fell's sad tragic...more
While the narrative meanders quite a bit, this doesn't distract from the pleasure to be gleaned from Medley's utterly charming storytelling. The characters are well-developed, delightful and familiar; their stories are laced with allusions to the rich legacy of fantasy and fairy tales from which the author draws. The illustrations are clean and sophisticated, recalling the elegantly expressive work of Will Eisner and the whimsical appeal of Jeff Smith's "Bone." I devoured this and look forward t...more
There's nothing I can say about this that I haven't already said about the first volume. Some notes:
* When does volume 3 come out?
* The nonsense poetry traded between Sister Peace and Dr. Fell were lines generated by a computer program called "Auto-Beatnik" (no, seriously!) in 1962.
* This is the old edition of volume 2. Some comic book issues published after this volume will be included in the new edition of volume 2, to be published sometime in 2013. If you have this, read it, but if you are bu...more
* When does volume 3 come out?
* The nonsense poetry traded between Sister Peace and Dr. Fell were lines generated by a computer program called "Auto-Beatnik" (no, seriously!) in 1962.
* This is the old edition of volume 2. Some comic book issues published after this volume will be included in the new edition of volume 2, to be published sometime in 2013. If you have this, read it, but if you are bu...more
Unfortunately, this volume turned out to be even more disappointing than the first. While reading it, I found myself not really caring what was going on, and therefore kept forgetting what had been happening in previous chapters. Not that that really hindered reading the book, as nothing seemed to be happening throughout it. The only part I was mildly interested in was Jain's backstory. It made me interested to find out how she wound up with Pin's dad. But of course, they stop with the flashback...more
Okay, I've decided that graphic novels do NOT provide a quick happily-ever-after. I forgot about volumes. This book was volume two, and I assumed that the questions left unanswered at the end of volume one would be answered here. No such luck. So now I have to wait until another part is published. While I'm ecstatic that there will be (hopefully) more to read, I hate waiting. But I digress. Everything that is good about the first volume was good about the second. Good story, fun characters, grea...more
This was the first graphic novel I've read aside from some adaption of Beowulf back in high school.
The writing/drawing concept is interesting because the author/artist draws the descriptive elements rather than describing them in writing. Thus, essentially all of the writing that gets put forth is dialogue that drives the plot. Interesting concept.
The story was good. I enjoyed it okay. Although I admire an individual for taking such a challenge on, I'm just not sure the graphic novel format is...more
The writing/drawing concept is interesting because the author/artist draws the descriptive elements rather than describing them in writing. Thus, essentially all of the writing that gets put forth is dialogue that drives the plot. Interesting concept.
The story was good. I enjoyed it okay. Although I admire an individual for taking such a challenge on, I'm just not sure the graphic novel format is...more
There are not enough stars for this book. Holy cats, what a great story. Castle Waiting isn't just a good read; it's healing. I hope Ms. Medley feels like picking it back up again--there's a mystery about her decision to pull her name from this volume (a quarrel with Fantagraphics, perhaps?), and supposedly she's put the series on hiatus.
Picked this up yesterday and read it until I reached the end. I recommend you do the same (and start with volume 1, if you haven't read it yet).
Picked this up yesterday and read it until I reached the end. I recommend you do the same (and start with volume 1, if you haven't read it yet).
I loved the first volume in this series, and was REALLY excited when I saw that the second was on it's way! The reader is invited to join a close-knit, cozy group of characters, and to learn the stories that brought them to the castle. There is enough fore-shadowing that you want to keep reading well beyond the time you should be asleep. :)
I would recommend reading the first volume before jumping into the second. Those who don't will be just a bit confused.
Hope you enjoy!
I would recommend reading the first volume before jumping into the second. Those who don't will be just a bit confused.
Hope you enjoy!
More character stories in this sequel graphic novel. We get the backstory on Dr. Fell, the seemingly creepy doctor who wears a mask all the time and seems to be quite off his rocker, and Henry the strong silent blacksmith; discover new secret passages in the castle; play nine-pins and learn more about dwarves and their abilities; and generally enjoy quiet times among friends. It's like nothing much really happens, and yet, a lot happens just in the dialogue and character interaction.
I love these books! I like the art, I like the story, I like the slow unspooling of Jain's backstory - and everyone else's. I totally recommend this book to people who like fairy tales/fantasies, and maybe who aren't usually that interested in graphic novels. Or, if you are used to reading a certain kind of graphic novel, like super-hero comics or (in my case) super-dark-indie-ish graphich novels, this might be a nice reminder of the different stories this form can tell.
Castle Waiting: Volume II
Linda Medley
Fantagraphics Books, INC.
2010
In this loooooong awaited sequel, the reader learns more about Henry, Cully and his mother, and Dr. Fell while all the characters help Jain and her baby, Pym, move into a new room in the castle.
Funny, witty, intelligent, sweet, and gosh darn nice. That is what this volume is. Even the demon is polite and kind. I love this series and hope that Ms. Medley keeps on writing it.
4 1/2 stars.
Linda Medley
Fantagraphics Books, INC.
2010
In this loooooong awaited sequel, the reader learns more about Henry, Cully and his mother, and Dr. Fell while all the characters help Jain and her baby, Pym, move into a new room in the castle.
Funny, witty, intelligent, sweet, and gosh darn nice. That is what this volume is. Even the demon is polite and kind. I love this series and hope that Ms. Medley keeps on writing it.
4 1/2 stars.
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Linda Medley is the author of the acclaimed Castle Waiting graphic novel, published by Fantagraphics Books. A freelance illustrator since 1985, Linda Medley has illustrated children's books for Putnam, Grosset & Dunlap, Houghton-Mifflin, and Western Publishing. Linda has worked in the comics industry as a penciller, inker, painter, colorist and sculptor. Her pencilling work includes stints on...more
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