Dec 03, 2019
Graphic Novels

Review – Lady Mechanika, Vol. 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Lady Mechanika: La Belle Dam Sans Merci Lady Mechanika, Vol. 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci
By: Joe Benitez, M. M. Chen
Illustrator: Martin Montiel, Beth Sotelo
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


We find ourselves back in Lady Mechanika’s steampunk London once again. Finally, our protagonist’s creator seems to be coming out of the shadows, but all is not well with inventor Archibald Lewis. And so kicks off Lady Mechanika, Volume 5: La Belle Dame Sans Merci written by M. M. Chen and Joe Benitez, and with art by Martin Montiel and Beth Sotelo.

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Jul 08, 2019
From Our TBR Pile

Review – The Black God’s Drums by P. Djeli Clark

The Black God's Drums
By: P. Djeli Clark
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Publisher: Tor.com
Rating:


Nominee for Best Novella in the Hugo Awards, Nebula Awards, and Locus Awards as well winner of the ALA Alex Award, The Black God’s Drums by P. Djeli Clark is sure to entertain. Clark, author of 2019’s The Haunting of Tram Car 015, has an unparalleled ability to weave an exciting, atmospheric tale that sweeps readers away on pure adventure. In a novella just over the one hundred page mark, it is all the more impressive.

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Jun 26, 2018
Graphic Novels New & Upcoming Releases

Review – Lady Mechanika Vol 4: The Clockwork Assassin by Joe Benitez

Lady Mechanika Vol 4: The Clockwork Assassin
By: Joe Benitez; M.M. Chen
Illustrator: Joe Benitez (pencils); Martin Montiel (pencils); Beth Sotelo (colors); Michael Heisler (letters)
Release Date: June 26, 2018
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika #4
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


You know what? There aren’t enough steampunk stories. Doubly so for graphic novels. I mean who doesn’t love cool steam based tech and gorgeous Victorian outfits? Well, thankfully there’s the Lady Mechanika series. Lady Mechanika Vol 4 by Joe Benitez, M.M. Chen, Beth Sotelo, Michael Heisler, and Martin Montiel is a steampunk graphic novel series with detectives, fabulous lady investigators, and some scientists closer to the evil genius side of things than is comfortable.

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Mar 20, 2018
From Our TBR Pile

Review – The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis

The Guns Above: A Signal Airship Novel
By: Robyn Bennis
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Tor Books
Series: Signal Airship
Rating:


The Guns Above is the story of Josette Dupris, the first female captain of an airship in Garnia’s military. Usually, women in the military don’t make captain and aren’t allowed in battle. But the country is in the middle of a long war, and the death of Josette’s former captain mid-battle forced her hand. Now armed with her own ship, Josette has to navigate her first captain post, test out a brand new type of airship during airtime. Not everyone is happy with this new appointment, though. When a prominent general sends his nephew aboard to report back on Josette’s flaws in order to dismiss her from her new post, what will happen?

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Sep 26, 2017
From Our TBR Pile Graphic Novels New & Upcoming Releases

Review – Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte

Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte TP
By: Joe Benitez
Website: http://www.joebenitez.com/
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


In my quest to read more graphic novels and not only manga I stumbled onto the Lady Mechanika series by Joe Benitez, a steampunk action series with beautiful character designs and gorgeous artwork. Lady Mechanika is a graphic novel series that I’ve been following for almost half a year now. The series is a steampunk, action packed story that follows the Lady Mechanika, a woman with mechanical limbs with no recollection of her past who solves problems that other people can’t. Lady Mechanika La Dama de la Muerte is a prequel of sorts, occurring before the start of the first volume of the graphic novel between the as yet unexplained origin. With breathtaking art and a story that is keeps you hooked, La Dama de la Muerte is another great addition to the series.

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May 13, 2017
Graphic Novels New & Upcoming Releases

Review – Lady Mechanika Vol 3: The Lost Boys of West Abbey

Lady Mechanika Vol. 3: The Lost Boys of West Abbey
By: M. M. Chen; Joe Benitez
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika #3
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


It wasn’t too long ago that I discovered the Lady Mechanika graphic novel series, and its one I’ve come to look forward to reading each time I find a new volume. When I had the opportunity to read an early copy of Lady Mechanika Vol. 3: The Lost Boys of West Abbey by M.M. Chen and Joe Benitez, I jumped on it.

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Apr 22, 2017
From Our TBR Pile

Review – Toru: Wayfarer by Stephanie R. Sorensen

Toru: Wayfarer
By: Stephanie R. Sorensen
Release Date: February 17, 2016
Publisher: Palantir Press LLC
Series: Sakura Steam #1
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Sometimes it’s a synopsis that catches your eye. Sometimes it’s the cover. Sometimes it’s the author’s name, or the genre. For me, it was the setting the setting and cover design. Toru: Wayfarer by Stephanie R. Sorensen is a book that’s been on my radar since it was first released back in February of 2016. When I finally got my hands on a copy, I was quite the excited bookworm.

Unfortunately, the excitement didn’t last.

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Mar 11, 2017
From Our TBR Pile Graphic Novels

Review – Lady Mechanika Vol. 2: The Tablet of Destinies

Lady Mechanika Vol. 2: The Tablet of Destinies
By: Joe Benitez
Release Date: April 2016
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: The Tablet of Destinies #1-6
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


While I’ve read quite a number of manga over the years. It would make sense to think that I’ve devoured graphic novels at the same rate. Unfortunately, the number of manga vs. graphic novels read is wildly out of proportion, with graphic novels on the low side. One of the ways I’m remedying this is by reading Lady Mechanika, a graphic novel series set in a steampunk world with great characters and awesome artwork. This week we read Lady Mechanika Vol 2: The Tablet of Destinies by Joe Benitez.

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Feb 18, 2017
From Our TBR Pile Graphic Novels

Review – Lady Mechanika, Vol. 1: Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse

Lady Mechanika, Vol. 1: Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse
By: Joe Benitez
Website: http://www.joebenitez.com/
Release Date: November 18, 2015
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Series: Lady Mechanika
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Lady Mechanika, Vol. 1: Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse by Joe Benitez is a graphic novel series I wish I had picked up sooner. Of late I’ve read multiple stories promised strong female leads which just didn’t deliver, leaving me to spiral into despair that I’d never find a good female lead ever again. Then, behold! This beautifully illustrated graphic novel fell into my lap almost on accident.

But did it quell my unyielding search for a better than average female protagonist?

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