I praise G+ for a lot of things, but mostly for the incredible people I have the privilege of interacting with on a daily basis. Recently, +Mar Mai was introduced to my circles by a number of respected peers. She is an incredible artist and storyteller who has released her first graphic novel in Amazon Kindle format. I have been a bit behind the curve lately, but I downloaded and read it last night and, though I expected it to be terrific from the reviews of my peers, it still blew me away. I urge all of you to go check this graphic novel out! It was on a free preview, but if it is not any longer, it is well worth the price! p.s., this would make a great wishlist item for G+ +Secret Santa 😉
Link to the book on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B009P87Y66
I posted the following review on Amazon:
Imagine if Robert Lynn Asprin (Myth Adventures) or Terry Pratchett (Colour of Magic, Discworld) wrote and illustrated in a mash-up style of Manga and classic Saturday morning cartoons. This was my first impression reading The Dragon Tutor. Like ingredients in a favorite recipe, all of the elements complement each other beautifully, satisfying your senses but leaving you wanting more. The story is cute and engaging, with enough hooks to give depth to the world in which it's set, but not complex enough to require a map and glossary. The characters are funny and interesting. The artwork is both beautiful and quirky moving not only page to page, but frame to frame.
After seeing the second panel with the red birds on the window ledge, I knew I was in for a treat. From the full panel of the Southern Elf Queen to the many zany facial expressions, the art itself is very much a part of the personality of the characters. While you enjoy the art, be on the lookout for Easter eggs; "Live long and prosper" is the only hint I will give you. The lettering, often an afterthought in illustrated stories that use a more uniform style or even a standard font, is drawn to the style of each panel lending even more character to the overall tale. The coloring of the letters varied a bit within panels and I was not sure if this was by design or something that happened in processing, or just my laptop monitor. I mention this only for the author to address if needed and in no way does it take even a sparkle away from my rating. The story jumps a bit in moving the plot forward but all was forgiven here too because I was anxious to find out what came next so it served a selfish desire. Truly, though, regardless of my desire to see what came next, I would have welcomed the author captivating me even further in her world by fleshing out the transitions from scene to scene, adding more to the back stories, and going on even longer tangents (such as the dragon shopping trip, which was hilarious).
To sum up, this is truly a book for all ages. I can totally picture myself standing in line with my 12-year-old daughter, my 14-year-old nephew, and even a few adult friends making a night of it waiting to buy our own copies of the next volume – in old fashioned print, even! – because none of us would want to wait long enough to share! Kudos, Mar Mai, I am hooked.
[EDIT] I got the book for free but it's well worth the price. I think I read somewhere it was $2.99? Heck, if someone misses it for free and that is the deciding factor whether they get it or not, I will commit to purchasing two copies for other people. If they enjoy it, pay it forward. Or not. Up to you. But I think you will. 😉
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I'm partway through myself and enjoying it, and will have Peo look at it on the weekend and review accordingly.
I'm saving this until I get a chance, I saw her first few cartoons dealing with her first few days here and thought, wow!
Excellent review, +Scott Cramer. I read it earlier on Amazon and was wondering why you hadn't shared it on Google+ too. I guess I just had to wait.
I know right, Halfdan? We practically bashed him on the forehead with it. Hehe
+Kyla Myers, oh, I meant that I read +Scott Cramer's review on Amazon earlier today, but, yes, that too.
p.s. Here is the link to get it and it's still free at the moment:
 http://goo.gl/FsmJD
I really enjoyed this – the anarchic style was very much to my liking.
+Kyla Myers Can't believe I forgot the link! It has been added. This is a particularly busy week at work so it took me 3 or 4 editing sessions to get that cut and pasted together and posted. 😉
Got it…read it…loved it…can't wait for sequels!!!
+Emilio Boronali +Jake Marquart would both derive enjoyment from this novel.
S'ok, dear, I got your back. 😉
+Damian Sanchez Got me thinking… So I added this to the post:
I got the book for free but it's well worth the price. I think I read somewhere it was $2.99? Heck, if someone misses it for free and that is the deciding factor whether they get it or not, I will commit to purchasing two copies for other people. If they enjoy it, pay it forward. Or not. Up to you. But I think you will. 😉
I grabbed this up based on you and my other g+ peoples recomendation alone i didnt even read the description i just hit "get that SOB" lol . Im all about indi authors like +David Butler and +Rich Griffith to name 2.
+Scott Cramer Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!
I'm sitting here and I just don't know what to say!! I wrote out two comments but they didn't do you justice!!
I'm just so touched by your comments!! To be compared to… to be put in the same bracket as…. The Simply Amazing Terry Pratchett!!!!
+Mary C. what is the "I just died and flew to cloud Nine" emoticon??
Once I get off cloud nine I'm going to be able to write something better to thank you!! I'll just tell you my Dad printed out your review and gave it to me… and I put it in my pocket and kept pulling it out all day to read over and over!! It's STILL there!!
Thank you so much!Â
And you're number 19!! So I'm totally drawing you something amazing!! hug glomp HUG!!
We have a pretty awesome G+ Family, don't we? 🙂
Absolutly….
Yes!!! Oh man, yes!!
Calling it like I see it +Mar Mai! Well deserved. Daughter is here this weekend and I look forward to sharing it with her tonight. 🙂
+Kyla Myers Agreed! +1000
Going to read this with my son Arthur later. Can't wait!
Just finished the dragon tutor and enjoyed it immensely. Great art well written story. Cant wait to ready it with my nephew.
Happy dancing!! 😀
We loved it! Thank you +Mar Mai!
+Paul Stickland Major hug time!! glomp!!