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Sparrowhawk #1-5
Sparrowhawk
As the illegitimate daughter of a Naval Captain, Artemisia has never fit in with her father’s family, nor the high class world to which they belong. However, when she is targeted by the Faerie Queen and pulled into another realm, she has no choice but to fight her way back home, amongst evil fairies who want her head, and untrustworthy allies that claim solidarity but have ulterior motives. New York Times bestselling author Delilah S. Dawson (Ladycastle, Star Wars: Phasma) and illustrator Matias Basla (The Claw and Fang) present a gripping dark fantasy tale of a young woman claiming her time and her agency.
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2019
5 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
176 books2,814 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
July 26, 2019
Artemisia is a mixed race girl living in Victorian England with her wicked step-mother and family. She gets pulled into a very dark version of faerie where she must kill to gain enough power to return home. I dug this macabre version of faerie. I find the best version of faerie are the ones where there's a bunch of ulterior motives and sly trickiness. There's also a lot about learning to accept one's self, faults and all. I loved the character designs but found the art itself to be too sloppy for my tastes.
Received a review copy from Boom and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Boom and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
September 22, 2019
This was a really good graphic novel!
Sparrowhawk was a really fun and enjoyable read. The artstyle is really good especially the backgrounds! The story was really interesting despite it being too fast paced at times but the ending was right up my alley! The story is a mix of Alice in wonderland and faeries. The chapter covers by other artists were amazing too.
I loved most characters but sometimes they felt like they had no character depth much because it was really fast paced.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fast read with beautiful artstyle and an ending with a twist!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
Sparrowhawk was a really fun and enjoyable read. The artstyle is really good especially the backgrounds! The story was really interesting despite it being too fast paced at times but the ending was right up my alley! The story is a mix of Alice in wonderland and faeries. The chapter covers by other artists were amazing too.
I loved most characters but sometimes they felt like they had no character depth much because it was really fast paced.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fast read with beautiful artstyle and an ending with a twist!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
August 18, 2019
+Digital ARC gently provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review+
1851. Artemisia Gray is a mixed raced young woman , servant in her father home, that is forced through the mirror to the faerie lands.
This is sort of Alice in Wonderland , evil bunny included, ... hacking her way throught fairyland.
...but beware of the tricky faeries or you could lose yourself.
There is a kind of message here, the girl wants to be strong and free from the chains of society, but ends up
-->THE ART: Sadly, the art fluctuate between interesting to lacking in different vignettes.
The covers and alternates covers from 2 on are not the same as the drawings inside.
-review in progress-
1851. Artemisia Gray is a mixed raced young woman , servant in her father home, that is forced through the mirror to the faerie lands.
This is sort of Alice in Wonderland , evil bunny included, ... hacking her way throught fairyland.
...but beware of the tricky faeries or you could lose yourself.
There is a kind of message here, the girl wants to be strong and free from the chains of society, but ends up
-->THE ART: Sadly, the art fluctuate between interesting to lacking in different vignettes.
The covers and alternates covers from 2 on are not the same as the drawings inside.
-review in progress-
August 16, 2019
Review to come after a reread.
January 8, 2020
Gorgeous, lacey and spikey images tell biracial Artemesia Grey’s story when she’s pulled into Faerie by the Unseelie Queen, and has to fight her way back home. Artemesia’s prickliness and toughness serve her well on her transformative and deadly journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
July 23, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I had previously read the Ladycastle graphic novel by this author and found it to be cute but pretty lacking in both character development and subtlety, but I think this title shows a lot of growth in her as an author. I think it helped that this was five issues instead of just 4 [I always find 4 issue graphic novels to be so rushed], but the storyline about trying to find your place in the world and whether the ends truly justify the means was great and although it was very dark I loved it [especially the end]. The art is great as well and I really love all the character designs of the different faeries and how they change depending on their actions. Definitely worth a read for people who like faerie stories.
I had previously read the Ladycastle graphic novel by this author and found it to be cute but pretty lacking in both character development and subtlety, but I think this title shows a lot of growth in her as an author. I think it helped that this was five issues instead of just 4 [I always find 4 issue graphic novels to be so rushed], but the storyline about trying to find your place in the world and whether the ends truly justify the means was great and although it was very dark I loved it [especially the end]. The art is great as well and I really love all the character designs of the different faeries and how they change depending on their actions. Definitely worth a read for people who like faerie stories.
September 17, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book!
This book has been my favorite book that I've read from NetGalley so far. I wish there was a way for me to properly convey how much I loved this book but I feel like words will fail me.
This book is about Artemisia who is the illegitimate daughter of a Naval captain and a mother she never met. She is living with a step mother that she hates and her step sister whom she loves. While looking a mirror one fine day she gets kidnapped into another world and the Faerie Queen takes her place in our world. She meets a strange creature named Crispin, who becomes her guide through the Faerie world. Along the way she is forced to do things that she is not comfortable and she gradually changes into something unrecognizable. Can she make her way back home or will she be stuck in Faerie land forever?
This book combines Jane Austin, Alice in Wonderland, and a badass MC. I love Art because she doesn't always make the best decisions or ask the right questions. She is a fantastically wrong a few times throughout the book but I love the fact that she can be murdering Unseelie left and right but then still feel guilt when she finds out they weren't that bad. She's a complex character and I love her.
Also I loved the artwork in this book! The color palette was really nice and it really helped the story along.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. I cannot recommend it enough. Especially if you are fans of Alice in Wonderland or Tithe by Holly Black.
This book has been my favorite book that I've read from NetGalley so far. I wish there was a way for me to properly convey how much I loved this book but I feel like words will fail me.
This book is about Artemisia who is the illegitimate daughter of a Naval captain and a mother she never met. She is living with a step mother that she hates and her step sister whom she loves. While looking a mirror one fine day she gets kidnapped into another world and the Faerie Queen takes her place in our world. She meets a strange creature named Crispin, who becomes her guide through the Faerie world. Along the way she is forced to do things that she is not comfortable and she gradually changes into something unrecognizable. Can she make her way back home or will she be stuck in Faerie land forever?
This book combines Jane Austin, Alice in Wonderland, and a badass MC. I love Art because she doesn't always make the best decisions or ask the right questions. She is a fantastically wrong a few times throughout the book but I love the fact that she can be murdering Unseelie left and right but then still feel guilt when she finds out they weren't that bad. She's a complex character and I love her.
Also I loved the artwork in this book! The color palette was really nice and it really helped the story along.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. I cannot recommend it enough. Especially if you are fans of Alice in Wonderland or Tithe by Holly Black.
September 17, 2019
Arc from netgalley, honest review
Fairies | Alternate world | Dark | Graphic novel
Rating: 3 stars
This is a pretty short graphic novel. The story is pretty twisted in the end. For me it is almost like a combination of Alice through the looking glass and stories about Faeries. The art is good, but not entirely to my tastes, but what I'm conducting points for is that the layout/images/text were sometimes in a confusing order. The writing, here and there is was very whimsical and beautiful (as far that is possible for a graphic novel, already having limited text), here and there it was just weird and confusing.
Because of those pointers, maybe being confusing, wanting some more explanation and text and such I can't give it more then 3 stars. I like the story though, just wished there would've been more.
Would recommend though since even if you read it and it isn't for you anyways, you'll barely wasted any time really.
Fairies | Alternate world | Dark | Graphic novel
Rating: 3 stars
This is a pretty short graphic novel. The story is pretty twisted in the end. For me it is almost like a combination of Alice through the looking glass and stories about Faeries. The art is good, but not entirely to my tastes, but what I'm conducting points for is that the layout/images/text were sometimes in a confusing order. The writing, here and there is was very whimsical and beautiful (as far that is possible for a graphic novel, already having limited text), here and there it was just weird and confusing.
Because of those pointers, maybe being confusing, wanting some more explanation and text and such I can't give it more then 3 stars. I like the story though, just wished there would've been more.
Would recommend though since even if you read it and it isn't for you anyways, you'll barely wasted any time really.
April 4, 2020
An interesting fantasy tale but the characters felt so distant, it was hard to worry about Art’s fate, let alone the others. Drawing style fluctuated. Might have been more gripping as a book, which could’ve delved deeper into the world building and depicted Art’s slow evolution in a subtler manner.
June 12, 2019
That isn’t my definition of dark... and when a comic book want to be dark, it shouldn’t present illustrations are colorful like they came from a children TV shows. Big failed in every aspects. I don’t get all the positive review I read, maybe it’s just me...
September 6, 2019
Wow, this was super disturbing.
...I liked it generally, though?
...I liked it generally, though?
September 22, 2019
This is really dark so I probably won’t read more, it the writing and art are really good mostly.
August 20, 2019
Interesting take on a fairy tale but added a lot of violence. The art just wasn't for me.
August 13, 2019
NetGalley ARC.
I've read one Delilah S. Dawson book and while the concept was interesting, the execution was not my cup of tea. This on the other hand, was right up my alley. Falling into a faerie world? Yes please! I really enjoyed this graphic novel, all of the faerie creatures, our MC Artemisia, and I hope there's more to come! But the font style of the faeries was a little hard to read when you can't zoom in on Adobe Digital Editions.
I've read one Delilah S. Dawson book and while the concept was interesting, the execution was not my cup of tea. This on the other hand, was right up my alley. Falling into a faerie world? Yes please! I really enjoyed this graphic novel, all of the faerie creatures, our MC Artemisia, and I hope there's more to come! But the font style of the faeries was a little hard to read when you can't zoom in on Adobe Digital Editions.
October 24, 2019
Protagonist Artemisia is a biracial “circumstance” of her fathers sexual exploits while in the navy, so is unacknowledged by him as a daughter but acts as handmaid to her white sisters. One of them is terrible to her, and it’s shown in unfortunate detail, dialogue, and plot that most of her family sees her as more of a tool than a person. Isn’t it so interesting the way Art’s hair is so UnRuLy next to the perfectly wavy planes of hair had by her sisters?! Elloell!! Good thing Art is UNWILLINGLY PHYSICALLY INHABITED BY AN ELDRITCH BEING and transported to a realm of monsters - that way, she can finally feel useful and find community amongst some magical misfits and we can alllllll understand how this is an ALLEGORY FOR FEELING LIKE AN OUTCAST WHO ACTUALLY MIGHT BE EVIL INSIDE!!
Hell *fucking* no, we could only get something this obtuse from someone writing about identities that are not their own for the sake of being edgy. If you wanted this character to feel like a misfit outcast, a don’t make racial heritage a central component. This story could have easily happened without that characterization, and this book became so repugnant to me once I realized it wasn’t ownvoices.
Skip and avoid this!!!!
Hell *fucking* no, we could only get something this obtuse from someone writing about identities that are not their own for the sake of being edgy. If you wanted this character to feel like a misfit outcast, a don’t make racial heritage a central component. This story could have easily happened without that characterization, and this book became so repugnant to me once I realized it wasn’t ownvoices.
Skip and avoid this!!!!
June 17, 2019
This is a fantasy graphic novella for those looking for a story where the Fae and their ilk are brutal. Before Disney gave the world Tinkerbell, and made fairy tales less grim, well such tales were quite grim.
This a tale without much in the way of joy or happiness. Artemisia is the illegitimate daughter of a British naval captain, and of course her step mother is far from pleased with her existence. With the pending threat of being married off to improve the family's fortunes, Artemisia ends up being pulled through a mirror into the land of Fae, a place of dark creatures, and one where all is not as it seems.
She undergoes a gradual transformation, and to avoid readers I'll stop my description of what happens to Artemisia.
I have to admit to having mixed feelings about this tale. I think overall it is very well executed, and at the same time the characters began to leave me feeling nothing for them. It is the lack of connection with the characters that prevents me from giving this four stars despite how well it is executed.
This a tale without much in the way of joy or happiness. Artemisia is the illegitimate daughter of a British naval captain, and of course her step mother is far from pleased with her existence. With the pending threat of being married off to improve the family's fortunes, Artemisia ends up being pulled through a mirror into the land of Fae, a place of dark creatures, and one where all is not as it seems.
She undergoes a gradual transformation, and to avoid readers I'll stop my description of what happens to Artemisia.
I have to admit to having mixed feelings about this tale. I think overall it is very well executed, and at the same time the characters began to leave me feeling nothing for them. It is the lack of connection with the characters that prevents me from giving this four stars despite how well it is executed.
August 11, 2019
Check out my full video review: https://youtu.be/_94BHM9E2PY
Sparrowhawk is a graphic novel which take the main character Artemisia into Faire, there she must kill to be able to go back home.
I really enjoyed this, the art beautiful and the story intriguing! I really liked the questions it rose about how you do evil for something good, and how one can change doing these actions. The end left me gasping, and I was very surprised how the overall dark the whole story was. It was trickery and clever, so of course I liked it! 4/5 stars.
Sparrowhawk is a graphic novel which take the main character Artemisia into Faire, there she must kill to be able to go back home.
I really enjoyed this, the art beautiful and the story intriguing! I really liked the questions it rose about how you do evil for something good, and how one can change doing these actions. The end left me gasping, and I was very surprised how the overall dark the whole story was. It was trickery and clever, so of course I liked it! 4/5 stars.
December 7, 2019
I received a copy of Sparrowhawk through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Sparrowhawk is a miniseries and the first time that Delilah S. Dawson has written a graphic novel (to my knowledge). As a huge fan of hers, I just knew that I had to read it. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed! Set in Victorian England, this series combines the magic of fairy with elegant storytelling and compelling character arcs.
Artemisia hasn’t exactly had what you’d call a great life; she’s the illegitimate daughter of a Naval Captain, and while his family took her in, they didn’t exactly treat her too well. In fact, her stepmother would love nothing more than to find a good husband to trade her off to.
But that’s the least of Artemisia’s problems, once she’s targeted by a dark and powerful Faerie Queen. Now Art is stuck in the realm of Faerie, with the Queen is out and about gallivanting in a body that looks just like hers.
Sparrowhawk was a brilliant and disturbing read, one that showed the darker side of the cute little faeries people love to talk about so much. This was a dark world, one that was twisted and warped. And Delilah S. Dawson did an excellent job of weaving the web of this tale.
I personally love it when a faerie story is appropriately dark and disturbing. There is so much potential with these dark creatures, and Dawson really ran with it here. Art’s journey was a perilous one, putting her in danger in more ways than one.
It was a compelling story, one that was meant to teach a lesson as much as anything. The twists are shocking and horrifying at times, but all in ways that perfectly fit in with the world that we’ve been introduced to.
I especially love that Dawson established rules for the fae to follow, and then she stuck with those rules. They even became relevant to the plot arc at several vital moments, proving how efficiently these elements were woven into the story itself.
Honestly, I was actually quite sad when this series ended. Not because I was upset with the ending (it was perfection) but because I wanted to keep reading. I actually would love it if this became a longer running series, though that probably won’t happen.
Now let’s talk about the artwork in Sparrowhawk. It was, quite simply, beautiful. It was the ideal blend of gothic/Victorian style with dark and magical faeries. And I’ve got to give all the credit to Matias Basla for making this work so vibrant and alive. And terrifying, don’t forget terrifying.
Honestly, the highlight for the artwork had to be the character designs. Art herself went through several visual transitions through the course of this story, and Basla did an excellent job portraying each and every alteration. I don’t think it would have carried the same weight, had there not been such a strong visual element supporting it.
I honestly and truly loved everything that Sparrowhawk had to offer. If I could read it all again for the first time, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Unless that required me to make a bargain with a faerie – that sounds too risky for me.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Sparrowhawk is a miniseries and the first time that Delilah S. Dawson has written a graphic novel (to my knowledge). As a huge fan of hers, I just knew that I had to read it. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed! Set in Victorian England, this series combines the magic of fairy with elegant storytelling and compelling character arcs.
Artemisia hasn’t exactly had what you’d call a great life; she’s the illegitimate daughter of a Naval Captain, and while his family took her in, they didn’t exactly treat her too well. In fact, her stepmother would love nothing more than to find a good husband to trade her off to.
But that’s the least of Artemisia’s problems, once she’s targeted by a dark and powerful Faerie Queen. Now Art is stuck in the realm of Faerie, with the Queen is out and about gallivanting in a body that looks just like hers.
Sparrowhawk was a brilliant and disturbing read, one that showed the darker side of the cute little faeries people love to talk about so much. This was a dark world, one that was twisted and warped. And Delilah S. Dawson did an excellent job of weaving the web of this tale.
I personally love it when a faerie story is appropriately dark and disturbing. There is so much potential with these dark creatures, and Dawson really ran with it here. Art’s journey was a perilous one, putting her in danger in more ways than one.
It was a compelling story, one that was meant to teach a lesson as much as anything. The twists are shocking and horrifying at times, but all in ways that perfectly fit in with the world that we’ve been introduced to.
I especially love that Dawson established rules for the fae to follow, and then she stuck with those rules. They even became relevant to the plot arc at several vital moments, proving how efficiently these elements were woven into the story itself.
Honestly, I was actually quite sad when this series ended. Not because I was upset with the ending (it was perfection) but because I wanted to keep reading. I actually would love it if this became a longer running series, though that probably won’t happen.
Now let’s talk about the artwork in Sparrowhawk. It was, quite simply, beautiful. It was the ideal blend of gothic/Victorian style with dark and magical faeries. And I’ve got to give all the credit to Matias Basla for making this work so vibrant and alive. And terrifying, don’t forget terrifying.
Honestly, the highlight for the artwork had to be the character designs. Art herself went through several visual transitions through the course of this story, and Basla did an excellent job portraying each and every alteration. I don’t think it would have carried the same weight, had there not been such a strong visual element supporting it.
I honestly and truly loved everything that Sparrowhawk had to offer. If I could read it all again for the first time, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Unless that required me to make a bargain with a faerie – that sounds too risky for me.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
July 17, 2019
Hmm... I'm not quite sure how to rate this. It's a fast paced, well drawn comic. The artwork is full of bold colors although the style itself is not one that I'm usually drawn to or prefer. That said, I thought it suited the strangeness of this story. I liked the artwork on the chapter/title pages more than I did the artwork throughout the comic, but I loved the contrast of the colorful against the brutal, gruesome and dark faerie world story. The plot itself reminded me of elements of Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland, which the author also mentioned as her inspiration in the afterword.
I found the story interesting. Artemesia is the daughter of a colonizer and a slave woman who grew up in a family that was cruel and didn't want her. After being forced into a situation she doesn't want to be in, Art finds herself being pulled into the faerie realm, having been replaced by the Faerie Queen in her world. In faerie, Art meets a demonic bunny (reminiscent of the cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland) who makes a pact to help her get back home, in exchange for one of Art's memories. Art must go through faerie slaying monstrosities in order to get back home, and along the way she encounters both the good and evil creatures of faerie, including the gentle faerie prince, whom she falls in love with. How far will she go to get back home?
Art was a strong willed character who was fiercely determined to go home. Her transformation from a thoughtful human, to a monster who enjoys killing as much as any unseelie, was disturbing. It begs the question: how far would you go to do what you think is right, even if it turns you into someone who you don't like. The side characters were all very interesting as well and although he was an evil, twisted thing I really enjoyed the demonic bunny's character.
I liked the sinister vibes of the ending and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next and how Art will deal with the repercussions of her actions. A review for Sparrowhawk will be posted on my blog closer to the release date.
Thanks to Netgalley and BOOM! Studios for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found the story interesting. Artemesia is the daughter of a colonizer and a slave woman who grew up in a family that was cruel and didn't want her. After being forced into a situation she doesn't want to be in, Art finds herself being pulled into the faerie realm, having been replaced by the Faerie Queen in her world. In faerie, Art meets a demonic bunny (reminiscent of the cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland) who makes a pact to help her get back home, in exchange for one of Art's memories. Art must go through faerie slaying monstrosities in order to get back home, and along the way she encounters both the good and evil creatures of faerie, including the gentle faerie prince, whom she falls in love with. How far will she go to get back home?
Art was a strong willed character who was fiercely determined to go home. Her transformation from a thoughtful human, to a monster who enjoys killing as much as any unseelie, was disturbing. It begs the question: how far would you go to do what you think is right, even if it turns you into someone who you don't like. The side characters were all very interesting as well and although he was an evil, twisted thing I really enjoyed the demonic bunny's character.
I liked the sinister vibes of the ending and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next and how Art will deal with the repercussions of her actions. A review for Sparrowhawk will be posted on my blog closer to the release date.
Thanks to Netgalley and BOOM! Studios for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2019
This review was originally posted on my review blog Deanna Reads Books
Victorian era stuff is my normal go-to, so I was a little unsure about this comic at first, but I really like Delilah S. Dawson so I was hoping she would win me over. Which she did. It starts off a little slow, seeming like a victorian plot about class struggle, but then it gets super interesting when Artemisia is pulled into Faerie and has to deal with the kill or be killed mentality of the UnSeelie Court. If you like mashup genres and like stories based in Faerie, I definitely recommend this one.
I really loved the artwork in this one, at times it was dark to reflect the UnSeelie Court, but other times it was done with really vibrant colors. It was definitely a fun comic to look through. Everything seemed to really pop off the pages.
The plot in this one is pretty dark, and we begin to see early on how Artemisia is lead astray by a little voice whispering in her ear. She never means to turn into what she does at the end, but she listens to the wrong advice and makes a horrible mistake, but feels like she had to press on just to reach her goal. To get home and destroy the evil Queen. With the final frame, it left me wanting more and to see how everything is going to play out.
The plot weaves Victorian society great with the Faerie folklore and some hints at Alice in Wonderland homage with Crispin the Abomination. I definitely want to read what happens next in this series.
*I received an eARC copy of this second look book via Netgalley and the publisher BOOM Studios. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Victorian era stuff is my normal go-to, so I was a little unsure about this comic at first, but I really like Delilah S. Dawson so I was hoping she would win me over. Which she did. It starts off a little slow, seeming like a victorian plot about class struggle, but then it gets super interesting when Artemisia is pulled into Faerie and has to deal with the kill or be killed mentality of the UnSeelie Court. If you like mashup genres and like stories based in Faerie, I definitely recommend this one.
I really loved the artwork in this one, at times it was dark to reflect the UnSeelie Court, but other times it was done with really vibrant colors. It was definitely a fun comic to look through. Everything seemed to really pop off the pages.
The plot in this one is pretty dark, and we begin to see early on how Artemisia is lead astray by a little voice whispering in her ear. She never means to turn into what she does at the end, but she listens to the wrong advice and makes a horrible mistake, but feels like she had to press on just to reach her goal. To get home and destroy the evil Queen. With the final frame, it left me wanting more and to see how everything is going to play out.
The plot weaves Victorian society great with the Faerie folklore and some hints at Alice in Wonderland homage with Crispin the Abomination. I definitely want to read what happens next in this series.
*I received an eARC copy of this second look book via Netgalley and the publisher BOOM Studios. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 9, 2019
Mixed race Artemisia, born of a naval captain and a slave, returns to England unwanted by her step-mother. Unwittingly, she gets pulled into a particularly dark Faerie. She gets duped into building up her power by killing others by a conniving little creature, so that she can return to her land and kill the Evil Faerie Queen. Her price is both innocence, compassion, and some very important memories.
This was quite well done, actually. Monsters are not what they appear, and the main character drastically changes not only in personality, but in appearance. Every kill turns her closer to what she hates. And it becomes an act of glee, rather than need. The ending becomes cyclical, which I thought was pretty good/devious.
I didn't initially like the artwork style, but by the end I did more so. Some of the panels were kind of sparse, but the style is consistent. The panels showing Faerie are creative and imaginative. The changes in the character are nicely done. Even if it wasn't my favorite style, I can really appreciate how it was done. Also, the covers between chapters were REALLY good. I think this started as a 3 star, but ended closer to 5, so I'll average it to 4.
This was quite well done, actually. Monsters are not what they appear, and the main character drastically changes not only in personality, but in appearance. Every kill turns her closer to what she hates. And it becomes an act of glee, rather than need. The ending becomes cyclical, which I thought was pretty good/devious.
I didn't initially like the artwork style, but by the end I did more so. Some of the panels were kind of sparse, but the style is consistent. The panels showing Faerie are creative and imaginative. The changes in the character are nicely done. Even if it wasn't my favorite style, I can really appreciate how it was done. Also, the covers between chapters were REALLY good. I think this started as a 3 star, but ended closer to 5, so I'll average it to 4.
May 17, 2025
The illegitimate daughter of a naval captain, Artemisia has always been out of place in her family and English high society alike. But when she's yanked through a mirror into a dark realm, she will have to fight for a way back home if she means to save everyone.
With the explosion of fae in popular literature in the last decade or so, I feel like they've generally lost their essential dark and uncanny nature just how vampires were defanged by the Twilight books. Not so with Sparrowhawk though - in the strange Wonderland-like world that Art falls into, she shouldn't trust anyone or anything, and all the power she gains comes at the expense of losing herself. With the sky-high stakes for both Art and the world, I found myself fascinated.
However, I did think the story galloped by - with a fairly short page count, we don't get to go deeper into the motivations and backgrounds of pretty much all the supporting characters. I would have liked to learn more about Crispin and Warren, for example. And the art style was definitely a let down - often vague and blotchy, though there's a few striking full-page panels.
With the explosion of fae in popular literature in the last decade or so, I feel like they've generally lost their essential dark and uncanny nature just how vampires were defanged by the Twilight books. Not so with Sparrowhawk though - in the strange Wonderland-like world that Art falls into, she shouldn't trust anyone or anything, and all the power she gains comes at the expense of losing herself. With the sky-high stakes for both Art and the world, I found myself fascinated.
However, I did think the story galloped by - with a fairly short page count, we don't get to go deeper into the motivations and backgrounds of pretty much all the supporting characters. I would have liked to learn more about Crispin and Warren, for example. And the art style was definitely a let down - often vague and blotchy, though there's a few striking full-page panels.
June 25, 2019
I really liked this! It was a really nice blend of traditional and modern fairytale-esque story, with beautiful artwork and a story that (to me) would not be out of place on a shelf of someone who also loved Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. A little whimsical, a bit dark, and kind of sad, but in a good way.
August 14, 2019
3.5 stars.
I received an eARC of this through NetGalley.
An interesting almost Alice In Wonderland meets The Cruel Prince mash up series.
I felt it lacked a little with regards to character development, I feel that each segment could have been a little longer. They could have gone into more detail, really woven the story better, making you feel a little more for the characters and the world itself.
But overall I enjoyed it.
I received an eARC of this through NetGalley.
An interesting almost Alice In Wonderland meets The Cruel Prince mash up series.
I felt it lacked a little with regards to character development, I feel that each segment could have been a little longer. They could have gone into more detail, really woven the story better, making you feel a little more for the characters and the world itself.
But overall I enjoyed it.
August 27, 2019
Great graphic novel of life in Faerie and one woman's quest to get back to her home. The artwork really made this story work, loved the character Art and her attempts to retain her humanity while journeying deeper into Faerie. Would recommend for anyone dealing with a book hangover from Holly Black and her series.
August 1, 2019
A great graphic novel with fantastic illustrations and a dark story to go with it. I really enjoyed the style of the illustrations and the plot was well thought out. Sparrowhawk had the feel of a real dark fairytale and I loved the tiny details in each panel, especially with each change she went through and her new appearance.
September 10, 2019
This would have been my bread and butter a few years back, a Victorian Fairyland Alice in Wonderland type story sounds right up my ally, but this? Too simple and trope-ridden, plus the art style didn't really fit the story.
Still an enjoyable story, recommend it to YA readers.
Still an enjoyable story, recommend it to YA readers.
September 22, 2019
How gorgeous and dark. Really appreciate how it looks at the idea of an outsider savior and the ease of justifying actions when it leads to what someone wants. All that in a fairy tale setting with plenty of supernatural slaughter? Exactly what I want.
January 4, 2024
*3.5
The premise of this book was intriguing, and I liked the use of the fae world and transformation. Art's journey was interesting, but her character arc felt a little sped up. I didn't love the color palette, but the art style grew on me as the story progressed. I'm only disappointed that, despite the ambiguous ending of this book, there doesn't seem to be a sequel in sight.
3.5/5 stars.
The premise of this book was intriguing, and I liked the use of the fae world and transformation. Art's journey was interesting, but her character arc felt a little sped up. I didn't love the color palette, but the art style grew on me as the story progressed. I'm only disappointed that, despite the ambiguous ending of this book, there doesn't seem to be a sequel in sight.
3.5/5 stars.
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