Rose SC

Rating:
Summary: A gift to this and subsequent generations.
Review: I had no knowledge of Jeff Smith's Bone series when Rose hit the stands. But I knew Charles Vess, whose artwork has never failed to captivate me, so I picked up the book even though it was a prequel to a series I didn't read.

Not only does Rose stand easily on its own as a classic of comic-book fantasy, it also piqued my interest in Smith's long-running fantasy series. I will know more of these people, these creatures and these lands! But before I journey into the realms of Bone, let's focus on the book at hand.

Rose boasts the kind of lush, layered and highly detailed art that has always excited my eyes and drawn my imagination into whatever stories he illustrates. His people -- and, in this case, his anthropomorphic dogs, dragons and rat-creatures -- are by no means photo-realistic, yet they are expressive and endearingly lifelike. The panels seem almost to be in motion as Rose, her sister Briar and the iron-jawed Captain Lucius Down play out their parts in the tale. Euclid and Cleo literally dance across the pages with canine excitement!

Rating:
Summary: it isn't Bone
Review: If you're expecting the quality of the Bone series, look elsewhere. The art is dramatically less refined and the execution isn't high. I was entranced by the Bone series and wanted to discover more of the same, but this just isn't it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent prequel to 'Bone'
Review: Jeff Smith's, 'Rose,' serves as an excellent prequel to his much beloved 'Bone,' graphic novel series. Fans will find great interest in the earlier backstory of Rose and introductions of 'Bone,' mainstays such as Lucius Down, The Red Dragon and even the 'hairy rat creatures.' Smith's writing and story construction is as solid as ever - the only thing noticeably missing is the infusion of frequent humor. The artistic collaboration with Charles Vess pays off magnificently as readers are treated to a lush, vibrant artscape that Vess is well know for. Even those who have not yet read through,'Bone,' this book stands up perfectly fine as a stand-alone as well. Great stuff all around that will appeal to anyone with an appreciation for the graphic novel.

Rating:
Summary: Rose- Prequel
Review: Rose sets the stage as a prequel to Bone by Jeff Smith. Young Gran'ma Ben otherwise known as Princess Rose faces grave danger as a terrifying dragon lays siege to the small towns of the Northern Valley. But what princess Rose does not realize is the fact that the dragon is actually the ancient evil Lord of the Locusts. Rose does everything in her power to try to defeat the dragon and eventually turns to her advisor for direction, who tells the princess how to eliminate the dragon but at a terrible price. Recommended for all ages.