Jessica (HDB)

This graphic novel is a perfect example of why I wait for compendiums and collections to come out before trying something new. Scott Snyder's The Wake was brilliant for the entire first half. The depths of the ocean have always held a special kind of intrigue. So few of us actually ever get to see what's lurking down there. In this case, Snyder built a whole mythos surrounding these mysterious depths. His characters were perfect, and I couldn't look away.

Cue the second half, which started out pretty solid. The Wake is interesting in that it is actually set in three time periods, and it skips around. We have the story from the distant past, the story from the recent past, and in this second half we have the story from the present. While it takes a bit of getting used to, this actually works out really well. Seeing the puzzle pieces come together was fascinating. Had Leeward's dystopia continued on, I would have gladly kept reading. This was a place that was close enough to my reality that I could latch on.

Unfortunately, the ending just confused the hell out of me. I'll be the first to admit that graphic novel endings don't always make sense. Sometimes I believe that I'm missing something important and that's why I don't get it. In this case, it just felt unfinished. Like everything that had held my interest up to that point slowly blew away in the wind. Unsatisfied. That's what I was. I wanted more story.

Still, a good majority of this graphic novel is fantastic. That, coupled with absolutely stunning illustrations, made this something I truly believe I owe a 4 star rating to. Agree with me, or don't, but definitely give this a shot if you're looking for something new.