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A review by crookedtreehouse
First Knife by Simon Roy, Daniel M. Benson
3.0
Fans of [b:Prophet, Vol. 1: Remission|26526673|Prophet, Vol. 1 Remission|Brandon Graham|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|21477514], looking for a story that's just as complex in its worle building, but a bit more grounded in its storytelling, may really enjy this. It's a dystopian future story that's really thin on story but thick with worldbuilding. The plot never threatens to go anywhere interesting but it's coherent and easy to follow.
The art seems flat to me. The perspectives don't always work. I'm not a fan of the way Trakhanov draws anatomy, nor when he chooses to just do vague outlines when the camera zooms out for a long distance shot (which he doesn't do very often). But I do love his close-ups, and the way he composes action scenes.
While not a book I was very excited about, I think fans of Roy's other work might find it alluring, and I enjoyed it more than [b:Habitat|30896672|Habitat|Simon Roy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1467912887l/30896672._SY75_.jpg|51502943]. If you're jonesing for a post-Apocalyptic America book, and you've already read through [b:East of West, Vol. 1: The Promise|17929637|East of West, Vol. 1 The Promise|Jonathan Hickman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1368745851l/17929637._SY75_.jpg|25131343], [b:Undiscovered Country #1|52510893|Undiscovered Country #1|Scott Snyder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570384758l/52510893._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73650500], and [b:Tank Girl|974942|Tank Girl (Tank Girl, #1)|Alan C. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388218484l/974942._SY75_.jpg|1495966], I would definitely give this book a flip-through and see if the art appeals to you.
The art seems flat to me. The perspectives don't always work. I'm not a fan of the way Trakhanov draws anatomy, nor when he chooses to just do vague outlines when the camera zooms out for a long distance shot (which he doesn't do very often). But I do love his close-ups, and the way he composes action scenes.
While not a book I was very excited about, I think fans of Roy's other work might find it alluring, and I enjoyed it more than [b:Habitat|30896672|Habitat|Simon Roy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1467912887l/30896672._SY75_.jpg|51502943]. If you're jonesing for a post-Apocalyptic America book, and you've already read through [b:East of West, Vol. 1: The Promise|17929637|East of West, Vol. 1 The Promise|Jonathan Hickman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1368745851l/17929637._SY75_.jpg|25131343], [b:Undiscovered Country #1|52510893|Undiscovered Country #1|Scott Snyder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570384758l/52510893._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73650500], and [b:Tank Girl|974942|Tank Girl (Tank Girl, #1)|Alan C. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388218484l/974942._SY75_.jpg|1495966], I would definitely give this book a flip-through and see if the art appeals to you.