Mini Reviews

 

You know, when you look at a book (or comic) over and over because you're just not sure if this is for you. Ice Cream Man was one of those for me. Every single time the cover and title caught my eye, and I'd pick it up, read the back again, and then always put it back. Finally, I was like screw it, the last book broke me. I don't want to fall back into the slump I just crawled out of in January. So I picked up and what the actual crap. Because excuse me, what did I in fact just read? What in the Eerie Indiana for adults was that? Of course, I picked up Volume Two the second I finished the first one. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL?! Because of this book, I'm pretty sure is where nightmares go to die. And it's all connected to one another by the thinnest of threads. And then! Of course, it gets worse. I've already picked up Volume Three. Because you can't stop reading it. I have to know what's happening next because you don't end a book like that?! I'm pretty sure the hero was dead (though can a hell being be dead?). I don't know, I'm so confused, grossed out, and I cannot look away. 

I sat down to read this while I was doing chores, because it's a graphic novel. Easy to stop, easy to start. Wrong. I started this, ignored the laundry until I realized I was hungry. Only to realize I had devoured half this book in one sitting. I didn't even realize how quickly I was flipping pages, didn't realize time was passing. I was so locked into this story because it's so good. And you are so locked into Aiza's journey, and even though I knew how the plot was going to unfold, I still couldn't wait to see it happen and see how Aiza and her friends save the day, sort of save the day. Become big damn heroes, that's what they do! What bums me out the most about this book is that I don't think we're getting books anymore after this one. And while this book is wrapped up, I would follow Aiza and her friends through another book. On the other hand, I do like that it's a standalone. Because Squire is beautifully written and drawn, and the story itself is amazing, and it's a book I would definitely read again and again.

I wanted to like this book so much, I really did. I adored the character of Eddie Munson so much. So I loved the idea of getting his backstory of DnD. A little bit of origin story, if you will. What killed it for me was that it was also the start of how the boys joined Hellfire. So you go back and forth on the timeline. At first, it was fine because it was Eddie setting up the Vecna plot, but something about adding more of the Stranger Things plot just sort of killed it for me. While keeping track of the timeline was easy to track, I got bored with the 80s timeline. I skipped those pages and just kept to the original story, but about two-thirds of the way through, I realized I stopped caring. It didn't matter how cool the setup was. Tying it to the start of season four just kind of made me not care, I guess. I don't really care about the boys or the struggle of joining, or the rumors; we already know they join. We know Dustin adores Eddie, Lucas does sportsball, and Mike's a dick. I didn't need that in Eddie's book, I guess; I wanted this to be about Eddie and older Hellfire guys. Which I kind of got, but I don't know. This just wasn't for me, I guess, and it bummed me out. 

I love this series. For a random book I picked up because the title made me giggle, I'm seriously obsessed with it. I'm so glad we finally found out what is going on with all the onions. So, on that part we've gone full circle. I also liked that this book answered the question of why Lewellyn is obsessed with Shavonne. I want to say that these two share some of the sweetest moments, but that would only be part of the story. Because. Well. Woof. While some of my questions are being answered. Now I have so many more. But I've already picked up Volume Found, and I've already put the release of Volume Five in my calendar. Because I'm going to need both Volumes Five and Six the second they come out. I just need to know what's happening, what did happen, I just mighty need it when it comes to these two. I'm noisy, and they're crazy! 

HAPPY READING!!