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geekwayne's review
3.0
'The Forbidden Harbour V1' by Teresa Radice with illustrations by Stefano Turconi is a really intriguing story, but I felt really let down by the art style.
A young castaway with amnesia named Abel is found and rescued by a Royal Navy ship. He is given jobs on board the ship and seems to have unusual knowledge of ships and sailing, even though his hands are soft. His appearance coincided with the disappearance and treachery of the ship's former captain. When the ship returns home, he finds himself living in the inn owned by the former captain and his three daughters. Because he can read, he makes friends with the owner of the local brothel, and he spends days reading to her. Eventually, she tells him that they share a secret which may help him unlock his past.
The story is very good. It's literate and interesting. It spins off into an interesting direction at one point.
But, the art style has an unfinished quality to it. The style is roughed in storyboards. It looks like it's the pencilled illustrations before ink and color are applied, and this book deserves so much more than that. Black and white inks would have been preferable to what is presented. I'm giving this a 5 for story, but a one for art, so an overall 3.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
A young castaway with amnesia named Abel is found and rescued by a Royal Navy ship. He is given jobs on board the ship and seems to have unusual knowledge of ships and sailing, even though his hands are soft. His appearance coincided with the disappearance and treachery of the ship's former captain. When the ship returns home, he finds himself living in the inn owned by the former captain and his three daughters. Because he can read, he makes friends with the owner of the local brothel, and he spends days reading to her. Eventually, she tells him that they share a secret which may help him unlock his past.
The story is very good. It's literate and interesting. It spins off into an interesting direction at one point.
But, the art style has an unfinished quality to it. The style is roughed in storyboards. It looks like it's the pencilled illustrations before ink and color are applied, and this book deserves so much more than that. Black and white inks would have been preferable to what is presented. I'm giving this a 5 for story, but a one for art, so an overall 3.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
ellelainey's review
3.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Series: The Forbidden Harbour, Part 1
★★★☆☆
156 Pages
Let's start with the simple stuff:
Would I read it again?: Probably not
Genre: Comic, Graphic Novel, Historical, Romance
Content Warning: 18+ only, due to sexual situations
Now, let's get down to the nitty gritty:
I'm a little surprised by the quality of the illustrations. While very indepth drawings, they're done in pencil and look as though they've been scanned, so they've lost a lot of the detail. And they're in black and white, which wasn't what I'd expected. I thought the illustration on the cover was what I would find on the inside, but that hasn't proven to be the case, and it feels like I'm reading some old classic illustrated novel, instead.
Considering some of the detail of the illustrations that can be clearly seen – e.g. the nudity – this is definitely an 18+ comic book. But I do have to wonder over the historical accuracy of some of it. Such as claiming women have their periods, a term not used until 1822, while the story claims to take place in 1807.
While I enjoyed the overall story, which was part adventure, part life lesson and self-discovery, I wasn't keen on how heavily it borrowed from other sailing stories, such as The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – one of my all time favourite poems – to tell the story. I felt like there was more poetry than storytelling at times, especially since there were page-long passages of poetry breaking apart the two parts of the story.
I like Abel's character, how he worked his way from amnesia to the truth, and the originality of the idea that he and Rebecca are somehow reborn. I find the idea of the Forbidden Harbour intriguing, but in the end, it was too abrupt an ending, we found out very little about the Forbidden Harbour, and I feel like I've only read half a story. I presume that only those reborn can see the Forbidden Harbour, which what is it, why does it exist, what does it mean? Is it a symbol of the Hell or Heaven they escaped, a symbol of their second life, or is it somewhere they go once their final task is complete?
In the end, I'm left with so many questions and the story feels like it's barely started. With a very sudden ending and the fact that the illustrations are hard on the eyes, I had to lower the rating.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Series: The Forbidden Harbour, Part 1
★★★☆☆
156 Pages
Let's start with the simple stuff:
Would I read it again?: Probably not
Genre: Comic, Graphic Novel, Historical, Romance
Content Warning: 18+ only, due to sexual situations
Now, let's get down to the nitty gritty:
I'm a little surprised by the quality of the illustrations. While very indepth drawings, they're done in pencil and look as though they've been scanned, so they've lost a lot of the detail. And they're in black and white, which wasn't what I'd expected. I thought the illustration on the cover was what I would find on the inside, but that hasn't proven to be the case, and it feels like I'm reading some old classic illustrated novel, instead.
Considering some of the detail of the illustrations that can be clearly seen – e.g. the nudity – this is definitely an 18+ comic book. But I do have to wonder over the historical accuracy of some of it. Such as claiming women have their periods, a term not used until 1822, while the story claims to take place in 1807.
While I enjoyed the overall story, which was part adventure, part life lesson and self-discovery, I wasn't keen on how heavily it borrowed from other sailing stories, such as The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – one of my all time favourite poems – to tell the story. I felt like there was more poetry than storytelling at times, especially since there were page-long passages of poetry breaking apart the two parts of the story.
I like Abel's character, how he worked his way from amnesia to the truth, and the originality of the idea that he and Rebecca are somehow reborn. I find the idea of the Forbidden Harbour intriguing, but in the end, it was too abrupt an ending, we found out very little about the Forbidden Harbour, and I feel like I've only read half a story. I presume that only those reborn can see the Forbidden Harbour, which what is it, why does it exist, what does it mean? Is it a symbol of the Hell or Heaven they escaped, a symbol of their second life, or is it somewhere they go once their final task is complete?
In the end, I'm left with so many questions and the story feels like it's barely started. With a very sudden ending and the fact that the illustrations are hard on the eyes, I had to lower the rating.
bobbiesox's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
Perhaps it is the power of the ocean itself that lends itself to mysterious tales. The Forbidden Harbour make use of Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Marnier, but simply to call it a mystery gothic comic is misleading.
At first glance, the story seems simple enough – the adventures of a young shipwrecked boy as he is returned to civilization and is taken in by three sisters. But that isn’t quite correct. In many ways, the magical story is about faith, responsibility, and regret.
But honesty, the real winning part of this book is impossible to be discussed without spoilers, so here’s your last warning.
Radice gets huge points for her depiction of attempted rape because the man who tries to rape one of the sisters is a good man. His impetuous to force comes simply because of the sisters does not want to marry him because she doesn’t love him. Considering how hard it is for society to accept that nice guys don’t rape (i.e. Brock Turner), Radice use of it here is very powerful.
I can’t thank her enough for that.
Perhaps it is the power of the ocean itself that lends itself to mysterious tales. The Forbidden Harbour make use of Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Marnier, but simply to call it a mystery gothic comic is misleading.
At first glance, the story seems simple enough – the adventures of a young shipwrecked boy as he is returned to civilization and is taken in by three sisters. But that isn’t quite correct. In many ways, the magical story is about faith, responsibility, and regret.
But honesty, the real winning part of this book is impossible to be discussed without spoilers, so here’s your last warning.
Radice gets huge points for her depiction of attempted rape because the man who tries to rape one of the sisters is a good man. His impetuous to force comes simply because of the sisters does not want to marry him because she doesn’t love him. Considering how hard it is for society to accept that nice guys don’t rape (i.e. Brock Turner), Radice use of it here is very powerful.
I can’t thank her enough for that.
himatteo's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
saccalai's review
2.0
A mix of graphic novel and poetry. It took me a while to understand what the story was, it did get more interesting near the end but ended on a cliffhanger which I wasn't expecting. I would like to know what happens but not enough to read more of this.
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