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Castle Waiting Omnibus Collection #2
Castle Waiting, Vol. 2
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.
375 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2010
14 people are currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Linda Medley
147 books154 followersLinda 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 both Justice League and Doom Patrol for DC, as well as the Galactic Girl Guides for Tundra. Her paintings have appeared on the covers of Paradox Press' Family Man, Stuck Rubber Baby and TSR's Dragon magazine to name just a few. Born in Stockton, CA, and raised in “Steinbeck Country,” she now lives in Portland, OR, where she is working on the new Castle Waiting series, as well as a series of nine graphic novels based on L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz series.
- Fantagraphic Books Publisher
- Fantagraphic Books Publisher
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
October 14, 2011
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 Castle Waiting because it's just got that sort of quiet magic that's hard to describe but easy to love. So what I will do instead is give you a few of my favorite moments in this volume:
1. Everything with Simon learning to read.
2. Simon complaining about how unfair it is that men can't have babies. (okay, so I find Simon in general kind of charming in an adorable way.)
3. Jain: "There's no romance in a well-lit secret passage! It needs to be dark and mysterious..."
Chess: "The sort of place where lovers meet by candlelight, eh?"
Jain: "No. The sort of place where the undead lie in wait for unsuspecting prey."
I love how she thinks.
4. Simon: "But... you're a little kid whenever you do anything for the first time!"
5. Hooray for ridiculous! That panel is my faaaavorite in the whole book, I think.
6. The end of the bowling interlude.
7. The explanation of how dwarves raise their kids. Talk about heartwarming.
I sincerely hope there will be more of these collections, because I really enjoy these characters and there's definitely more to tell. (Is Pin really the last of a species, as the dwarves suspect?) If you haven't read any Castle Waiting, keep an eye out and pick the first volume up if you get a chance. It'll lighten your day.
Huh.
That metaphor worked out better than they usually do.
Anyhow... it's sort of hard to write a review for Castle Waiting because it's just got that sort of quiet magic that's hard to describe but easy to love. So what I will do instead is give you a few of my favorite moments in this volume:
1. Everything with Simon learning to read.
2. Simon complaining about how unfair it is that men can't have babies. (okay, so I find Simon in general kind of charming in an adorable way.)
3. Jain: "There's no romance in a well-lit secret passage! It needs to be dark and mysterious..."
Chess: "The sort of place where lovers meet by candlelight, eh?"
Jain: "No. The sort of place where the undead lie in wait for unsuspecting prey."
I love how she thinks.
4. Simon: "But... you're a little kid whenever you do anything for the first time!"
5. Hooray for ridiculous! That panel is my faaaavorite in the whole book, I think.
6. The end of the bowling interlude.
7. The explanation of how dwarves raise their kids. Talk about heartwarming.
I sincerely hope there will be more of these collections, because I really enjoy these characters and there's definitely more to tell. (Is Pin really the last of a species, as the dwarves suspect?) If you haven't read any Castle Waiting, keep an eye out and pick the first volume up if you get a chance. It'll lighten your day.
August 9, 2016
This was just as charming as the first volume, and it was great to be back with these incredibly wonderful characters, and meet some new ones.
However, it didn't have quite the surprise or fullness the first book had for me, hence the four stars.
The future of this series seems to be up in the air (maybe because these books are so expensive, at $30US each. Ouch! I may end up buying them because I love them so much, but I'm not eager to fork over that kind of money). I do hope there are more stories about these characters to come. The world is a richer place with these books in it, even if hardly anyone seems to be aware of them.
May 25, 2022
Well, not every Dwarf can forge a magic weapon. But every Dwarf can change a diaper.
I'm a bit sad I'm done with the two volumes of Castle Waiting, and the postmodern fantasy world they contain - the world of chosen families, love found in unexpected places, nicely peppered with references to our reality, yet never bitter. This was such a pleasant escape.
April 29, 2015
Sprites, ghosts, anthropomorphic animals, and enchanted trunks are all present in this delightful graphic novel about a castle that offers sanctuary to anyone who needs it.
Hammerlings (dwarves) have come to visit the castle. The baby, Pindar, is growing up fast. We still haven't been told the story of who his father was and how he died. We finally learn about Simon's father and how he met Simon's mother. Wars between humans, and the Hammerlings' involvement in said wars are a point of contention.
Secret passages are discovered, hearts are softened, good deeds are done, and general fun is had.
This optimistic, cheerful book is smart, funny, and sometimes touching. My only complaint about it is that it ends obviously with the expectation of another volume. Much to my dismay, there isn't one. I really want to find out what happens to all these amazing characters. However, as this was published in 2010, I will not hold my breath. It might be the last I ever see of the Castle Waiting.
Hammerlings (dwarves) have come to visit the castle. The baby, Pindar, is growing up fast. We still haven't been told the story of who his father was and how he died. We finally learn about Simon's father and how he met Simon's mother. Wars between humans, and the Hammerlings' involvement in said wars are a point of contention.
Secret passages are discovered, hearts are softened, good deeds are done, and general fun is had.
This optimistic, cheerful book is smart, funny, and sometimes touching. My only complaint about it is that it ends obviously with the expectation of another volume. Much to my dismay, there isn't one. I really want to find out what happens to all these amazing characters. However, as this was published in 2010, I will not hold my breath. It might be the last I ever see of the Castle Waiting.
Read
January 19, 2024You don't finish reading Castle Waiting. You wake up from the dreamlike trance as the fairytale falls away, leaving the soul soothed by storytelling.
It's a book for those of us who wish the plot would get out of the way so we can enjoy the indulgence of characters. The deliciously decadent digressions are explored through exquisitely expressive art, wherein the labor of love is evident in every line. It is truly beautiful in every sense of the word.
Also, there's an abbey full of bearded nuns.
Highly recommended.
It's a book for those of us who wish the plot would get out of the way so we can enjoy the indulgence of characters. The deliciously decadent digressions are explored through exquisitely expressive art, wherein the labor of love is evident in every line. It is truly beautiful in every sense of the word.
Also, there's an abbey full of bearded nuns.
Highly recommended.
October 6, 2011
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 HUGE BEEF with the publisher though. This is the second collection of a series that has won the Eisner Award for Linda Medley.
HOW DIFFICULT is it to actually PRINT her name somewhere on or in the book where people could actually see it? It's not on the cover or the spine or the inner first leaf. They had to print an extra sticker and stick it on the back to name the author and artist!!! The only place Linda Medley's name actually shows up in print in the book is in the publishing info at the very back in small print. SHAME on you, Fantagraphics! On the other hand, I'm happy to have the collection at all (although I bought all the pamphlets first anyway).
Aside: as the artist no longer has her own website and I haven't read about any recent interviews with her, and the release of the pamphlet version of Castle Waiting has become irregular again, I would dearly like to know what has happened. Does anyone know what is up with Linda Medley?
I will gladly buy anything else in this series.
ETA: I do have HUGE BEEF with the publisher though. This is the second collection of a series that has won the Eisner Award for Linda Medley.
HOW DIFFICULT is it to actually PRINT her name somewhere on or in the book where people could actually see it? It's not on the cover or the spine or the inner first leaf. They had to print an extra sticker and stick it on the back to name the author and artist!!! The only place Linda Medley's name actually shows up in print in the book is in the publishing info at the very back in small print. SHAME on you, Fantagraphics! On the other hand, I'm happy to have the collection at all (although I bought all the pamphlets first anyway).
Aside: as the artist no longer has her own website and I haven't read about any recent interviews with her, and the release of the pamphlet version of Castle Waiting has become irregular again, I would dearly like to know what has happened. Does anyone know what is up with Linda Medley?
I will gladly buy anything else in this series.
February 14, 2011
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 Fantagraphics, but this author deserves more then the average dose of love from her publisher.
I am also hearing rumors that Ms. Medley has taken a step back from this series. I would doubt she reads these little blurbs, but I do beseech her to consider her loyal fans--especially those of us who are content to quietly wait--and not abandon the story! The two volumes of Castle Waiting are among my most prized books, and I return to them often for the joy of the story and the light sweetness of the tale.
Castle Waiting is a treasure. If you agree, please pipe up with a review of your own!
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 Fantagraphics, but this author deserves more then the average dose of love from her publisher.
I am also hearing rumors that Ms. Medley has taken a step back from this series. I would doubt she reads these little blurbs, but I do beseech her to consider her loyal fans--especially those of us who are content to quietly wait--and not abandon the story! The two volumes of Castle Waiting are among my most prized books, and I return to them often for the joy of the story and the light sweetness of the tale.
Castle Waiting is a treasure. If you agree, please pipe up with a review of your own!
tbb-at-some-point
December 16, 2012I don't care that I own the second collection hardcover AND all the pamphlets, even the three new ones that were missing from the 1st edition of the 2nd volume. Storytelling like this needs to be supported, so I'll be buying this, too.
June 19, 2019
Carries on with the general high quality of writing that the first volume set up - better, even, seeing as nearly all the stories were centered around things and places and people that I cared about, and never strayed all too far this time around.
It's just a shame there's not more of this. One day, I hope.
It's just a shame there's not more of this. One day, I hope.
June 25, 2022
I could have happily read another two thousand pages of this story, and hopefully someday will!
January 19, 2019
I want more!! Loved this even more than the first one. But there are still so many more stories I want to see!
April 13, 2021
This is one of the most engaging graphic novels that I have ever read. It is set in a mammoth castle with all the cliché accoutrements. There are hidden and secret passages to be found, privies that are holes in the floor with no bottom but the ground. Massive rooms, long hallways and walls made of large, carved stones.
One of the main characters has the body of a man, yet the head of a bird with a very long beak. He wears spectacles and is considered to be wise. Another has the body of an extremely muscular man, but the head of a horse. He is also sentient. A couple of giants and a couple of dwarfs are also present, with the bulk of the others rather normal humans, at least for the medieval times.
While there is a bit of magic, specifically a small trunk that can somehow produce finished clothing, it does not overwhelm. All from the fanciest of women’s attire to solid work clothing are produced. Other than that, the people lead rather ordinary lives. For reasons that are not explained until some time into the book, the doctor wears a mask.
I very much enjoyed this book, there is a great deal of originality injected into what is in many ways a standard medieval castle community.
One of the main characters has the body of a man, yet the head of a bird with a very long beak. He wears spectacles and is considered to be wise. Another has the body of an extremely muscular man, but the head of a horse. He is also sentient. A couple of giants and a couple of dwarfs are also present, with the bulk of the others rather normal humans, at least for the medieval times.
While there is a bit of magic, specifically a small trunk that can somehow produce finished clothing, it does not overwhelm. All from the fanciest of women’s attire to solid work clothing are produced. Other than that, the people lead rather ordinary lives. For reasons that are not explained until some time into the book, the doctor wears a mask.
I very much enjoyed this book, there is a great deal of originality injected into what is in many ways a standard medieval castle community.
March 3, 2011
I waffled between a 2 and a 3 on this volume - fantastic artwork and charming characters but the whole story seems so inconsequential. 371 pages and nothing really happens - I might chock this book up to being 'not for me' but was also really put off by the abrupt ending. Although I have to say that Medley does a much better job in integrating flashback sequences in the main narrative and doesn't let them take over the book as I found in volume 1.
April 23, 2013
It was lovely to have another visit to Castle Waiting and its inhabitants. I can't wait for Volume 3! These characters have become very dear, and of course there are many questions to be answered. Unlike Vol 1, there was no story-within-a-story, though there *was* more of a backstory on a couple of the characters. The humor and tender moments continue....this is such a great example of a darling graphic novel, and appropriate for ages 10 to 90.
Read
August 28, 2013This volume started out a little slow for me, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. These are by no means fast-paced action tales, but instead domestic slice of life (in a fantasy castle) combined with back story of the various characters.
I really disliked the epilogue, though. .
I really disliked the epilogue, though. .
January 5, 2021
I wish Medley would get back to this series & finish it!!
For those new to it, you only need omnibus 1 & 2 for the entire series & standalones. Castle Waiting was initially published as a series of graphic novels & comics, but the Fantagraphics omnibuses collect the entire series in two books.
Anyway, the world of Castle Waiting: imagine a land where all the faery tales & myths & legends are based in truth (if a bit skewed, as stories do change over time). Jain is a merchant's daughter who married nobility: she had a love affair with a Slavic Leshy (a forest spirit, implied here to be the king of the Leshies) & got pregnant. She flees her abusive noble spouse and ends up at Castle Waiting, a sanctuary in this land of living stories, where she gives birth to her child (Pin, an adorably ugly green baby who is befriended by the Castles' infestation of sprites) & slowly learns the stories of all her new "family", as we gradually piece together Jain's tragic backstory.
If you're expecting Grand Adventure & Sword/Sorcery Heroics, you won't find that here. The story unfolds slowly: it's all about family & the friendships we build & foster, despite all our differences in biology, mindset, & culture.
Believe me, CW is NOT boring at all. There's action & drama aplenty, but the focus is very much on family & friendship & the "real" story behind the kids' fairy tales, not "kill the bad guy". It's a gradual, fascinating exploration of all the characters' stories, from Sleeping Beauty to the tragedy of Iron Henry to the world-traveling of Sister Peace of the Order Solicitine to the machinations of the Hammerlings & their care for their newest fosterling "Whitey" to The Gentle Giant & his housekeeper to Jain's own "Beauty & the Beast" backstory. It's all the stories you read as a kid, grown up & made adult.
Omnibus #2 picks up right where #1 left off: Jain & the castle's steward (Rackham) are moving out of Waiting's servant building into rooms in the old Keep, much to the displeasure of the infesting House Sprites, who consider the old Keep to be their territory. To Jain's delight, she's able to get the room next to the castle's huge library; Jain loves books & stories, which is what drives her finding out about the various tales of the people around her. We see more of Jain's childhood & growing-up, her awful half-sisters who are too focused on being "nobility", her growing friendship with Tylo (the son of another merchant house, whose father & Jain's planned for Tylo & Jain to eventually wed), and the ominous warning note of the Royal Prince taking an interest in the teenage Jain.
(Jain's story seems to be a blend of Cinderella & Beauty/Beast, but with the current end of the series, it's been left hanging.)
Into the mess of moving arrive the Hammerlings (dwarves), a clan of miners & metalworkers who turn out to be Iron Henry's adoptive/foster family -- and who are waaaayyy too much involved in stirring up nasty wars among the human kingdoms -- claiming they've only come for help supplying their newest human fosterling, a girl. Since the Hammerlings are mostly male, they have no supplies for a human girl's needs, so they turn to the Castle for help, and end up helping the Castle folks with renovating the old Keep and the move.
But their arrival upsets some of the Castle's people, for good reason. It seems that, in the past, one of the Hammerlings' war projects went very wrong, very fast, nearly killing Henry and apparently killing (or cursing) Henry's son, Dietrich. The Hammerlings were barely able to rescue Henry before everything collapsed, bringing him to Castle Waiting with the implication that Henry's been banned from the Hammerling kingdom. One of the visiting Hammerlings, Tolly, is the son of one of those rescuers; the other (Dayne) was one of the primaries.
Worse, the Hammerlings' war mongering turns out to have been behind the disappearance of the Leshy...and are taking a bit too much interest in baby Pindar.
All of this is fascinating, tragic, heroic, and funny as hell -- often all at the same time. Medley has a massive gift for telling compelling sidestories, sidetracking into secondary characters' histories without distracting from the main story -- all the sidestories deepen & enrich the main tale, adding humor/horror/tragedy/insight without derailing. A good example is the horrifying tale of Dr. Fell, a gifted surgeon driven insane from the horrors of the Plague - his subplot of his waxing/waning cycles of delusion & Sister Peace's trying to re-anchor him to the reality add sharp undertones of sadness and unexpected humor, especially when Fell unwittingly caps off several running gags of the book.
All of this weaves & sidetracks & re-tracks & adds harmony/discord/humor & horrifies & fascinates & draws you in as you want more & more & MORE of the stories...and then ends, leaving too much hanging, despite Medley's attempt at a somewhat satsifying closure point.
That is my only big problem with Castle Waiting -- IT ENDS TOO SOON. The series ended in 2010 and Medley has never picked it back up to finish it. As I said, there is semi-closure, so it doesn't end on a cliffhanger & at least lets you close the book without feeling cheated. But there's still too much left hanging: Iron Henry & his son's curse, what happened with Jain & Tylo & the stepsisters & that lecherous ass of a prince & how did the Leshy enter into this, LEEDS (for gods' sakes!!!), Doctor Fell's recovery, WTF IS UP WITH BABY PIN & WHAT ARE THE HAMMERLINGS PLANNING???, why is Bertamon still haunting the Keep, etc etc etc.
I want to know. I want to find out Jain's full story. I want to find out just what is up with Sister Peace & Leeds & why the Opurtunicus is hanging around. Jeez, I just want Medley to pick Castle Waiting back up and give us more of this awesome, unique tale!
tl;dr: if you're a fan of Neil Gaiman's Sandman, you'll love Castle Waiting. Like Sandman, it's a story *about* stories that tells its own compelling, unique tale.
For those new to it, you only need omnibus 1 & 2 for the entire series & standalones. Castle Waiting was initially published as a series of graphic novels & comics, but the Fantagraphics omnibuses collect the entire series in two books.
Anyway, the world of Castle Waiting: imagine a land where all the faery tales & myths & legends are based in truth (if a bit skewed, as stories do change over time). Jain is a merchant's daughter who married nobility: she had a love affair with a Slavic Leshy (a forest spirit, implied here to be the king of the Leshies) & got pregnant. She flees her abusive noble spouse and ends up at Castle Waiting, a sanctuary in this land of living stories, where she gives birth to her child (Pin, an adorably ugly green baby who is befriended by the Castles' infestation of sprites) & slowly learns the stories of all her new "family", as we gradually piece together Jain's tragic backstory.
If you're expecting Grand Adventure & Sword/Sorcery Heroics, you won't find that here. The story unfolds slowly: it's all about family & the friendships we build & foster, despite all our differences in biology, mindset, & culture.
Believe me, CW is NOT boring at all. There's action & drama aplenty, but the focus is very much on family & friendship & the "real" story behind the kids' fairy tales, not "kill the bad guy". It's a gradual, fascinating exploration of all the characters' stories, from Sleeping Beauty to the tragedy of Iron Henry to the world-traveling of Sister Peace of the Order Solicitine to the machinations of the Hammerlings & their care for their newest fosterling "Whitey" to The Gentle Giant & his housekeeper to Jain's own "Beauty & the Beast" backstory. It's all the stories you read as a kid, grown up & made adult.
Omnibus #2 picks up right where #1 left off: Jain & the castle's steward (Rackham) are moving out of Waiting's servant building into rooms in the old Keep, much to the displeasure of the infesting House Sprites, who consider the old Keep to be their territory. To Jain's delight, she's able to get the room next to the castle's huge library; Jain loves books & stories, which is what drives her finding out about the various tales of the people around her. We see more of Jain's childhood & growing-up, her awful half-sisters who are too focused on being "nobility", her growing friendship with Tylo (the son of another merchant house, whose father & Jain's planned for Tylo & Jain to eventually wed), and the ominous warning note of the Royal Prince taking an interest in the teenage Jain.
(Jain's story seems to be a blend of Cinderella & Beauty/Beast, but with the current end of the series, it's been left hanging.)
Into the mess of moving arrive the Hammerlings (dwarves), a clan of miners & metalworkers who turn out to be Iron Henry's adoptive/foster family -- and who are waaaayyy too much involved in stirring up nasty wars among the human kingdoms -- claiming they've only come for help supplying their newest human fosterling, a girl. Since the Hammerlings are mostly male, they have no supplies for a human girl's needs, so they turn to the Castle for help, and end up helping the Castle folks with renovating the old Keep and the move.
But their arrival upsets some of the Castle's people, for good reason. It seems that, in the past, one of the Hammerlings' war projects went very wrong, very fast, nearly killing Henry and apparently killing (or cursing) Henry's son, Dietrich. The Hammerlings were barely able to rescue Henry before everything collapsed, bringing him to Castle Waiting with the implication that Henry's been banned from the Hammerling kingdom. One of the visiting Hammerlings, Tolly, is the son of one of those rescuers; the other (Dayne) was one of the primaries.
Worse, the Hammerlings' war mongering turns out to have been behind the disappearance of the Leshy...and are taking a bit too much interest in baby Pindar.
All of this is fascinating, tragic, heroic, and funny as hell -- often all at the same time. Medley has a massive gift for telling compelling sidestories, sidetracking into secondary characters' histories without distracting from the main story -- all the sidestories deepen & enrich the main tale, adding humor/horror/tragedy/insight without derailing. A good example is the horrifying tale of Dr. Fell, a gifted surgeon driven insane from the horrors of the Plague - his subplot of his waxing/waning cycles of delusion & Sister Peace's trying to re-anchor him to the reality add sharp undertones of sadness and unexpected humor, especially when Fell unwittingly caps off several running gags of the book.
All of this weaves & sidetracks & re-tracks & adds harmony/discord/humor & horrifies & fascinates & draws you in as you want more & more & MORE of the stories...and then ends, leaving too much hanging, despite Medley's attempt at a somewhat satsifying closure point.
That is my only big problem with Castle Waiting -- IT ENDS TOO SOON. The series ended in 2010 and Medley has never picked it back up to finish it. As I said, there is semi-closure, so it doesn't end on a cliffhanger & at least lets you close the book without feeling cheated. But there's still too much left hanging: Iron Henry & his son's curse, what happened with Jain & Tylo & the stepsisters & that lecherous ass of a prince & how did the Leshy enter into this, LEEDS (for gods' sakes!!!), Doctor Fell's recovery, WTF IS UP WITH BABY PIN & WHAT ARE THE HAMMERLINGS PLANNING???, why is Bertamon still haunting the Keep, etc etc etc.
I want to know. I want to find out Jain's full story. I want to find out just what is up with Sister Peace & Leeds & why the Opurtunicus is hanging around. Jeez, I just want Medley to pick Castle Waiting back up and give us more of this awesome, unique tale!
tl;dr: if you're a fan of Neil Gaiman's Sandman, you'll love Castle Waiting. Like Sandman, it's a story *about* stories that tells its own compelling, unique tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2019
I love this precious series so much. I hope there are many more stories about the lives of these characters because they make me so happy! I highly recommend reading for a pleasant story about good people making happiness in their lives after sorrow. It’s a perfect shot of domestic life in a fantasy world, which is incredibly enjoyable. I only hope a Volume III is in the works somewhere!
Rate Procedure:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommend to a friend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not put it down, would recommend to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. The writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.
Rate Procedure:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommend to a friend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not put it down, would recommend to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. The writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.
January 31, 2020
More tales of the impromptu family gathered at the Castle Waiting. We learn more of Henry's past, his "dwarf" adopted family, more about the Castle itself and it's ghostly and spritely inhabitants. The Lady teaches Simon to read and all the men go gaga in their own ways as Pindar starts to grow. The Doctor's oddity is explained a bit by his tragic duties trying to contain the plague. It's quite the community and their growing camaraderie even after their trying lives outside the Castle is the predominant, positive mood that grows on you. There's actually something behind each character and while the plots seem meandering, there's actually a lot happening. I'm not much of a graphic novel reader, but I could see re-reading these and enjoying them in a new way.
September 30, 2018
This graphic novel about a band of outcasts that manages to turn an abandoned castle into a true home warms the heart. I heard a volume 3 might be in the works and I sure hope so! I’ve fallen in love with all the characters and want to explore all their backstories in depth.
May 18, 2019
More please? But I don't think that's happening. Sigh.
January 31, 2025
This is such a wonderful series. *shouts to heavens* WHY IS THIS SO DAMNED DELIGHTFUL?!
April 25, 2023
[FOUND FAMILY VIBES INTENSIFY]
Not all mysteries are solved, but they don’t need to be. Sometimes the past is best left in the past, and the real treasure is in forging new bonds and friendships. This is a great continuation of Vol. 1, full of warmth and character growth like flowers unfurling in the sun.
Not all mysteries are solved, but they don’t need to be. Sometimes the past is best left in the past, and the real treasure is in forging new bonds and friendships. This is a great continuation of Vol. 1, full of warmth and character growth like flowers unfurling in the sun.
July 23, 2018
5 Stars!
A sweet, funny, feel good graphic novel. Love it!
A sweet, funny, feel good graphic novel. Love it!
June 26, 2012
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 throughout the castle proper—not to mention a rousing bowling tournament.
Readers gain further insights on Lady Jain's childhood and the enigmatic, unsettled Dr. Fell through a series of flashbacks illuminating their backstories. And, of course, one cannot forget the quest for lady's underpants, the further education of Simon, the unruly rationale of a wily goat, and more adventures that comprise Castle Waiting, Vol. 2
While I was enamoured with Medley's episodic narrative and her colourful cast in the first Castle Waiting volume, I found the second collection didn't captivate me in the same sense. Granted, I loved exploring the secret (and haunted?) tunnels and the endless rooms of the Castle with Jain and Rackham, and I found Dr. Fell's background as a plague doctor was as fascinating as it was frightening, particularly when stories of his isolation on a plague-ridden island were revealed, But I found the stories themselves were slower-paced this time around, and I found the plot lines followed a more linear progression when compared to the first volume.
After finishing the second collection, I would advise fellow readers to wait for the third installment to hit the presses and then read each volume in quick succession so as to A) remember the character's names and their personal connections, and B) avoid the cliffhanger syndrome I am currently experiencing. I know I'll check out Castle Waiting Vol. 3 once it's printed, but oh, the wait will be a difficult one.
Ideal for: Fairytale junkies and fans of mythical times/places; Readers who like an equal dose of humour and darkness in their fairytales; Folks who enjoyed volume one and need a further fix of their favourite characters (so long as you read vol. 2 right after vol. 1)
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 throughout the castle proper—not to mention a rousing bowling tournament.
Readers gain further insights on Lady Jain's childhood and the enigmatic, unsettled Dr. Fell through a series of flashbacks illuminating their backstories. And, of course, one cannot forget the quest for lady's underpants, the further education of Simon, the unruly rationale of a wily goat, and more adventures that comprise Castle Waiting, Vol. 2
While I was enamoured with Medley's episodic narrative and her colourful cast in the first Castle Waiting volume, I found the second collection didn't captivate me in the same sense. Granted, I loved exploring the secret (and haunted?) tunnels and the endless rooms of the Castle with Jain and Rackham, and I found Dr. Fell's background as a plague doctor was as fascinating as it was frightening, particularly when stories of his isolation on a plague-ridden island were revealed, But I found the stories themselves were slower-paced this time around, and I found the plot lines followed a more linear progression when compared to the first volume.
After finishing the second collection, I would advise fellow readers to wait for the third installment to hit the presses and then read each volume in quick succession so as to A) remember the character's names and their personal connections, and B) avoid the cliffhanger syndrome I am currently experiencing. I know I'll check out Castle Waiting Vol. 3 once it's printed, but oh, the wait will be a difficult one.
Ideal for: Fairytale junkies and fans of mythical times/places; Readers who like an equal dose of humour and darkness in their fairytales; Folks who enjoyed volume one and need a further fix of their favourite characters (so long as you read vol. 2 right after vol. 1)
July 9, 2013
I'd read the first volume of this fairly recently and enjoyed it so much that I couldn't help but rush out to my local library to pick the second volume up. It was worth the effort of locating it, although part of me can't help but feel ever so slightly let down after finishing it. I honestly couldn't tell you what it was that gave me this impression, but I couldn't help but feel that at times Medley just seemed to really want to be done with Castle Waiting.
That aside, the artwork here is, of course, up to the standards of the first volume. We have just as many great drawings and depictions of various characters and scenery. One of the best aspects artwork-wise would have to be how Medley depicts her characters. Even though not every person/character is the most attractive, they're all drawn in ways that highlights their individuality without making them stand out overly much. She clearly puts a lot of thought and planning into things and it pays off.
Story-wise, not much really happens here as far as the main cast of characters go. We have some insight into the backgrounds of various characters, but overall the pacing here remains the same as the first volume. There's some loose ends and hints of possible future stories (assuming there are any further releases), but mostly everything is wrapped up relatively cleanly. Part of me isn't holding my breath for future volumes or releases, as occasionally I couldn't help but get the impression that Medley's heart just wasn't in this volume as it was in the previous one. Because of this, the story just didn't seem as cool as previous arcs were.
There's an ultimate collection out there with more story, so I'll eventually try to get that and see if there's any sort of further explanation for the characters, castle, or story as a whole. Despite the slight disappointment with this volume, I'd still recommend this quite heartily to fans of this type of work.
That aside, the artwork here is, of course, up to the standards of the first volume. We have just as many great drawings and depictions of various characters and scenery. One of the best aspects artwork-wise would have to be how Medley depicts her characters. Even though not every person/character is the most attractive, they're all drawn in ways that highlights their individuality without making them stand out overly much. She clearly puts a lot of thought and planning into things and it pays off.
Story-wise, not much really happens here as far as the main cast of characters go. We have some insight into the backgrounds of various characters, but overall the pacing here remains the same as the first volume. There's some loose ends and hints of possible future stories (assuming there are any further releases), but mostly everything is wrapped up relatively cleanly. Part of me isn't holding my breath for future volumes or releases, as occasionally I couldn't help but get the impression that Medley's heart just wasn't in this volume as it was in the previous one. Because of this, the story just didn't seem as cool as previous arcs were.
There's an ultimate collection out there with more story, so I'll eventually try to get that and see if there's any sort of further explanation for the characters, castle, or story as a whole. Despite the slight disappointment with this volume, I'd still recommend this quite heartily to fans of this type of work.
April 14, 2012
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 and loveable, but Medley seemed to have switched gears and this left me wanting more of what made Volume I great.
Instead of the wonderful back stories that made the first volume so entertaining, here she devoted pages to castle exploration and introduced some new, but not novel, characters to the mix. Although we finally learn more about Jain’s mysterious past and the surprising, and touching, pasts of some of the other characters, I felt Medley spent too much time taking us on a tour of the Castle’s mysterious hidden passages and secrets.
Medley’s strengths are with her characters and their inventive histories. There were touches of what made Volume I so great, like when we find out what’s behind Iron Henry’s iron heart and what’s ailing the doctor, but these moments are too short to make the time spent restoring the Castle rewarding.
But even though I was a bit disappointed in this follow-up, I still love Castle Waiting and can’t wait for the next volume. And Volume II isn’t a complete letdown–learning about Iron Henry’s past and seeing manly Chess play with a baby is worth the extensive tour of Castle Waiting.
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 and loveable, but Medley seemed to have switched gears and this left me wanting more of what made Volume I great.
Instead of the wonderful back stories that made the first volume so entertaining, here she devoted pages to castle exploration and introduced some new, but not novel, characters to the mix. Although we finally learn more about Jain’s mysterious past and the surprising, and touching, pasts of some of the other characters, I felt Medley spent too much time taking us on a tour of the Castle’s mysterious hidden passages and secrets.
Medley’s strengths are with her characters and their inventive histories. There were touches of what made Volume I so great, like when we find out what’s behind Iron Henry’s iron heart and what’s ailing the doctor, but these moments are too short to make the time spent restoring the Castle rewarding.
But even though I was a bit disappointed in this follow-up, I still love Castle Waiting and can’t wait for the next volume. And Volume II isn’t a complete letdown–learning about Iron Henry’s past and seeing manly Chess play with a baby is worth the extensive tour of Castle Waiting.
March 2, 2014
On a random trip to the bookstore with my friend, Karen, I spied this and knew I had to buy it immediately. I loved the first book, and after reading the second volume, I have decided that the blurbs for this series are all wrong. They praise Castle Waiting for being a fairy-tale about women, women-centered and women-powered. But really, aren't most fairy tales women-centered?
No. What makes this series exceptional is that even with all the wonderful fairy tale trappings -- demons, dwarves, talking animals, haunted castles -- this is a story about everyday heroism. Not the heroism of grand adventures and battles and outsmarting monsters, though those things sometimes happen along the way. It's about compassion, and seeing the worth in people who drive you crazy, and sharing hope and encouragement when it might be easier to be selfish.
And despite two of the standout characters being women, the above characteristics just as often apply to the men. I would say the tale is feminist in that it holds compassion over hierarchies and power, and that it allows both women and men to be fully realized characters. Calling it women-centered and women-powered entirely misses the mark.
No. What makes this series exceptional is that even with all the wonderful fairy tale trappings -- demons, dwarves, talking animals, haunted castles -- this is a story about everyday heroism. Not the heroism of grand adventures and battles and outsmarting monsters, though those things sometimes happen along the way. It's about compassion, and seeing the worth in people who drive you crazy, and sharing hope and encouragement when it might be easier to be selfish.
And despite two of the standout characters being women, the above characteristics just as often apply to the men. I would say the tale is feminist in that it holds compassion over hierarchies and power, and that it allows both women and men to be fully realized characters. Calling it women-centered and women-powered entirely misses the mark.
August 3, 2016
Towards the end of the book there is a scene were Lady Jain is attacked by the house sprites who clamour for her to finish the story she was reading to baby Pindar to help him fall asleep. When she refuses, the sprites turn into an angry mob who threaten to destroy her library. I wonder if this is a reflection of the pressure Medley felt to finish this book. She had had some kind of falling out with the publisher, and an earlier version of Vol. 2 had been published despite being incomplete, and without Medley's name on it. I am very happy that she did come back to Castle Waiting, and the resulting graphic novel is much more satisfying. The narrative is one of low-key events and domestic situations, and most of the scenes not taking place at the castle occur in frame narratives, but the characters are all funny and interesting, both in the way the act and the way they are captured in drawing. There is some shifting throughout the book in the page layout--larger panels in the middle, almost as if the artist was trying to fill pages as fast as possible, and more dense, six-panel pages towards the end. While certain story lines are resolved, questions remain, for me especially about Jain's past. I don't know what the chances are for a Vol. 3, but I am hoping for one.
August 27, 2011
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 bowling bits too.
Still not too fond of the drawing style. It's not that pretty when compared to other graphic novels I've read. Yes, I'm being superficial but I mostly read graphic novels if they have vibrant colors or some premise/theme I'm interested in. I'm not much of a fan of the black and white stuff.
Eh, that's not to say that this was bad but I'm disappointed that this series is moving away from the fairy tale retellings. Puu. I wish there was something deeper or complex in regards to the plot because there doesn't really seem to be one.
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 bowling bits too.
Still not too fond of the drawing style. It's not that pretty when compared to other graphic novels I've read. Yes, I'm being superficial but I mostly read graphic novels if they have vibrant colors or some premise/theme I'm interested in. I'm not much of a fan of the black and white stuff.
Eh, that's not to say that this was bad but I'm disappointed that this series is moving away from the fairy tale retellings. Puu. I wish there was something deeper or complex in regards to the plot because there doesn't really seem to be one.
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