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bimenace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Trafficking, and Death
Minor: Rape
sumayyaha's review against another edition
2.0
Rating - 3.4 Stars
Wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I liked it, I don't know what to think...
Wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I liked it, I don't know what to think...
tellybelle13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
I love the relationship between Alex and Cleo and the journey they're forced to go on. There are some really great characters and interesting themes here, and I look forward to seeing them become more developed. Though this one ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, it's a complete story in its own that still leaves room for more adventures.
hobbitfreddie's review against another edition
5.0
While it takes a while to get invested in, this is a really fun historical fiction adventure with really good characters.
Art: I'd give the art a 7-8/10. The style works pretty well for the overall mood of the story. The well drawn and detailed backgrounds emphasize the setting, so it feels like you're actually there (which is vital to an adventure story where the characters are always moving). The panels are action packed and every shot feels unique. The sense of color and value is great, also gives a good feel to the mood. I like the overall style as well. Sometimes the character designs can be a bit limited (because there are 2 sets of twins) but they do the job. The villains also seemed to be drawn in accordance to proper character design principles. With one look you can tell who's good and who's bad.
Story: The story took me a while to get hooked on, but the last few chapters are very much worth the wait. A big chunk of the story is setting up everything, the characters, the plot points, how the characters get to their destination. But by the last half, I grew attached to the characters and wanted to see what happens next. The story itself pretty simple, the characters are trying to get from point a to point b, but conflict happens throughout the journey. It's more about the characters, the bonds they slowly form and the changes they go through. It's all in a nice historical fiction read, with pirates, treasure, mysteries, and sailing.
Characters: The main characters really grow on you. They're well written and very likable, especially Cleo/Patrick. The characters that accompany the heroes also are just as well written. While there are 4 twins, they're all unique- personality wise. It's also a nice change of pace to see siblings that actually get along.
Spoilers ahead:
I really like Cleo/Patrick because I picked up on them being genderqueer. I was pleasently surprised to see some representation. There doesn't seem to be enough genderqueer representation, especially with male presenting ones. It's handled really well I think also. I love when Patrick tells Silas their gender problems. They easily became my favorite character. I do think the romance aspect between them was kinda forced or too quick.
Art: I'd give the art a 7-8/10. The style works pretty well for the overall mood of the story. The well drawn and detailed backgrounds emphasize the setting, so it feels like you're actually there (which is vital to an adventure story where the characters are always moving). The panels are action packed and every shot feels unique. The sense of color and value is great, also gives a good feel to the mood. I like the overall style as well. Sometimes the character designs can be a bit limited (because there are 2 sets of twins) but they do the job. The villains also seemed to be drawn in accordance to proper character design principles. With one look you can tell who's good and who's bad.
Story: The story took me a while to get hooked on, but the last few chapters are very much worth the wait. A big chunk of the story is setting up everything, the characters, the plot points, how the characters get to their destination. But by the last half, I grew attached to the characters and wanted to see what happens next. The story itself pretty simple, the characters are trying to get from point a to point b, but conflict happens throughout the journey. It's more about the characters, the bonds they slowly form and the changes they go through. It's all in a nice historical fiction read, with pirates, treasure, mysteries, and sailing.
Characters: The main characters really grow on you. They're well written and very likable, especially Cleo/Patrick. The characters that accompany the heroes also are just as well written. While there are 4 twins, they're all unique- personality wise. It's also a nice change of pace to see siblings that actually get along.
Spoilers ahead:
I really like Cleo/Patrick because I picked up on them being genderqueer. I was pleasently surprised to see some representation. There doesn't seem to be enough genderqueer representation, especially with male presenting ones. It's handled really well I think also. I love when Patrick tells Silas their gender problems. They easily became my favorite character. I do think the romance aspect between them was kinda forced or too quick.
lbarsk's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, really. Would’ve been the full five if you had LET ALEX AND EDWIN KISS! BOOO!!!
But nah otherwise this is a fun romp. I’m obsessed with Rebecca Mock’s art!
But nah otherwise this is a fun romp. I’m obsessed with Rebecca Mock’s art!
dmfsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lawbooks600's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Score: Seven out of ten.
I haven't heard of Compass South, a historical novel composed of illustrations until a few days ago when I picked it up at a public library while I tried to search for other books that sadly I missed and and now weren't available. The blurb made it seem intriguing and when I closed the final page, the novel was enjoyable.
It starts with a prologue set in 1848 spanning a few pages before cutting to 1860 where the central story begins with Alex and Cleo who join a gang to try to find their father who disappeared, but that doesn't go to plan. Alex has to work on a ship while Cleo goes on another ship to look for him, all while a pair of twin brothers have gone missing but are still alive somewhere. Compass South shines in its action scenes and fast pacing, but sometimes the plot can get disjointed and do too much with the multiple POVs. Prose novels handle multiple POVs better than illustrated ones most of the time so that could've been a better choice and the characters are likable and ones I could root for but they're not the most relatable. Other characters were in the background, but I'd loved to have seen more of them like the other pair and that one Native American character or that Black captain (who only got a brief appearance.)
I thought Compass South ended too quickly since it was barely over 200 pages, but at least there's a sequel but it's unclear if any library has it yet. Compass South has a theme of questionable moral choices, especially the ones Alex and Cleo make, implying that morals can go out the window when times get desperate. The conclusion can work fine by itself as all the characters achieve their goals as Alex and Cleo reunite and the other pair aren't missing anymore, but I question why the series needs a second instalment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, and Violence
Full trigger warnings: Near-death experience, death and murder, dead bodies, physical assault and injury, sword violence, disappearance of a fathermljmoore's review against another edition
5.0
Very entertaining book especially for adults. The story didn't go the way I thought from the cover and what I read in the book jacket, so I was pleasantly surprised on how the story turned out. Can't wait to read book 2!