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arijana333's review against another edition
3.75
First half was difficult and kinda... boring, but then it reaaaally picked up. I like it. Will read part 2
sharonskinner's review against another edition
I was unable to finish this book. It was just not engaging for me.
bobbiejowoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book was so much fun! The world of malice is dark, bleak, and unsettling. I loved the imagery and world building. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story I loved this much. The added comic pages take this book to the next level adding an even more immersive feel to this story. Cannot wait to see what horrors await in Havoc!
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. A mix between a novel and a graphic novel. Does have a bit of a creepy side so make sure your kid is old enough. But a great and fun read.
chiaravg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lothlorienne's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was great to see a somewhat unique experience in YA literature with the blend of comic book pages and story text. The author did a great job of helping us see Malice as an alternate universe with good world building, married to the comic insets.
Something I loved was the great array of different creatures in the story - I saw a lot of the author's creativity there and couldn't wait to see the next critter as I was reading. Malice as a created world was also incredibly interesting. You get hints of other sectors of this horror land we have yet to see and I really can't wait to see if we get glimpses of new regions in the next installment.
Looking forward to picking up Havoc, the sequel.
Something I loved was the great array of different creatures in the story - I saw a lot of the author's creativity there and couldn't wait to see the next critter as I was reading. Malice as a created world was also incredibly interesting. You get hints of other sectors of this horror land we have yet to see and I really can't wait to see if we get glimpses of new regions in the next installment.
Looking forward to picking up Havoc, the sequel.
hollylynna's review against another edition
4.0
I have been waiting ahwile for Chris Wooding's new book becuase I love his writing. I am not a big comic book fan, but I could not put down this book. I think it even gave me nightmares the night I finished it. That being said, I will have a hard time waiting for Havoc!
nadybl's review against another edition
4.0
Good story, interesting characters, easy to read. I love the mix of novel and comics.
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
There is a persistent rumor about a comic book called Malice. If you make the right offerings and say the right words during the correct ritual then the ruler of Malice, a man only known as Tall Jake will come and take you there. It is only a rumor, though. Right?
Luke and Heather, two London kids decide to try the ritual and promptly disappear. Seth is a friend of Luke's and the only clue he has about Luke's disappearance is that he mentioned Malice once. He and Kady, another friend, set out to the creepy bookstore, the only place where Malice is sold to investigate. They are horrified to see their friend Luke in the pages on the comic. Seth, longing for his own adventure and feeling a sort of teenaged discontent, decides to do the ritual to enter Malice and find Luke. Kady stays back in in real world London to figure out what is going on on this side.
What follows is an adventure that takes place in two worlds: One in dangerous, crazy toon-Malice where Seth must fight off weird monsters and mechanical beasts and the other in real-Life London where Kady is in a different kind of danger.
I must say this is one book where the cover is probably the best advertisement. It is a nice hard cover, brilliant crimson with a 3-D figure of Tall Jake looming on the outside, very striking and totally makes you pick the book up. I saw it at a bookfair during a parent/teacher conference and decided to get in for my 10 year old. He loved it. I decided to read it myself.
I liked it very well too. The story is extremely atmospheric and inventive. I've never read this author's work before so I had not expectations. I am not a huge consumer of YA books and thought it was definitely something that would appeal to younger audience, even it isn't precisely my taste. The story is written in combo on prose and graphic comic art. The written part of the story certainly moves right along although you get to a point where you understand that this is not a self contained story and there is going to be a sequel. Maybe this is why I felt some characterization suffered, especially in the case of Seth. Hopefully that is just a case of first-in-a-series-book-itis.
I am sad to say that graphic art part was a bit of a let down. I love graphic novels and the ones that speak to me the most are the ones that are wonderfully illustrated. I didn't especially love the illustrations here. My son, though thought they were fine.
All in all a pleasant way to spend a couple of afternoons and most definitely a winner for the YA set.
Luke and Heather, two London kids decide to try the ritual and promptly disappear. Seth is a friend of Luke's and the only clue he has about Luke's disappearance is that he mentioned Malice once. He and Kady, another friend, set out to the creepy bookstore, the only place where Malice is sold to investigate. They are horrified to see their friend Luke in the pages on the comic. Seth, longing for his own adventure and feeling a sort of teenaged discontent, decides to do the ritual to enter Malice and find Luke. Kady stays back in in real world London to figure out what is going on on this side.
What follows is an adventure that takes place in two worlds: One in dangerous, crazy toon-Malice where Seth must fight off weird monsters and mechanical beasts and the other in real-Life London where Kady is in a different kind of danger.
I must say this is one book where the cover is probably the best advertisement. It is a nice hard cover, brilliant crimson with a 3-D figure of Tall Jake looming on the outside, very striking and totally makes you pick the book up. I saw it at a bookfair during a parent/teacher conference and decided to get in for my 10 year old. He loved it. I decided to read it myself.
I liked it very well too. The story is extremely atmospheric and inventive. I've never read this author's work before so I had not expectations. I am not a huge consumer of YA books and thought it was definitely something that would appeal to younger audience, even it isn't precisely my taste. The story is written in combo on prose and graphic comic art. The written part of the story certainly moves right along although you get to a point where you understand that this is not a self contained story and there is going to be a sequel. Maybe this is why I felt some characterization suffered, especially in the case of Seth. Hopefully that is just a case of first-in-a-series-book-itis.
I am sad to say that graphic art part was a bit of a let down. I love graphic novels and the ones that speak to me the most are the ones that are wonderfully illustrated. I didn't especially love the illustrations here. My son, though thought they were fine.
All in all a pleasant way to spend a couple of afternoons and most definitely a winner for the YA set.