Weekend Cooking: Review of Flavor by Joseph Keatinge

I like graphic novels and I like stories that involve food and cooking, so I was excited to read Flavor (Image Comics, November 27), written by Joseph Keatinge with artist Wook Jin Clark.

The main character is Xoo Lim, who is single-handedly trying to save her parents' crepe restaurant, while also finding a way to heal them from a mysterious illness. She's underage and unlicensed, but her uncle Geof serves as the figurehead, keeping the officials at bay.

Xoo lives in a walled city where cooking is king, people fight over truffles, hot peppers can be used as weapons, and bars serve ice cream instead of alcohol. Her dog, Buster, helps in the kitchen and is literate.

Another plot line involves shady evil officials who are perhaps guided by the gods. We also have an up-scale culinary academy, a dangerous culinary underworld, and life-or-death cooking contests. And of note, Geof seems to be harboring his own secrets as well as an overindulgence problem when he visits the bar.

Flavor collects the first six issues of the comic, setting up the world in which Xoo lives. The artwork pops, and the emotions and personalities of the characters are clearly rendered. Each sector has a slightly different color scheme, so it's easy to tell whether we're at the academy, in Xoo's home, or in the city itself. The sample page shows Xoo, Buster, and Geof at the restaurant (click to enlarge the image).

Without giving up spoilers, the core of the story revolves around Xoo and Buster and the various plans they have to help Xoo's parents. Geof's motives for attempting to support Xoo are unclear. And, in fact, there is a lot about this comic that is unclear to me. For example, even after six issues, I'm not at all sure how the different plot lines will come together. I was also confused by Xoo's gender, which may be part of the point, but I'd like to have some kind of hint.

On the other hand, I really liked Buster the dog. He's not only cute but he seems to be the most practical and down-to-earth character in the book. I also kind of love to hate Geof, and I'm still trying to figure out whether he cares about his brother's family or if he's only in this for himself. There are a couple of cooking contests in this collection, and we learn that Xoo's specialty is definitely crepes.

At the end of the book we find a crepe recipe and a little blurb on culinary science. What we don't find at the end of the book is a solid conclusion . . . because the book ends on a major cliff-hanger. Argh!

I have mixed feelings about Joseph Keatinge's comic series Flavor. On the one hand I like some of the characters and really like the artwork. On the other hand, I didn't connect strongly with any of the story lines, and I have the uneasy feeling that I missed some key point. Will I look for the next collection? I might. Can I recommend this series? Not wholeheartedly.

Do you make crepes? I've made them only a couple times. In my family, it's my sister-in-law who reigns as the crepe queen.

_______

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
_______

Click for more

3 Recommended Books Set in Imaginative Worlds

I've been doing a lot of reading and listening this summer, but not much review writing. Here are three books I can recommend.

The Crimson Skew by S. E. Grove: I've written about the Mapmakers Trilogy before (The Glass Sentence, The Golden Specific), and I still have nothing but praise for the incredibly original world Grove created in her alternate history universe. About 200 years ago, the chronology of Earth shattered, resulting in a planet in which different regions exist in different time periods: from the prehistoric Ice Age to the faraway future. Our heroes are from 1890s Boston, and their adventures take them on dangerous journeys through other ages, as they pursue personal missions and get caught up in global politics. I love the imaginative beings, the flawed and sympathetic main characters, and the unique way maps are created and used. The Crimson Skew satisfactorily closes the trilogy but (yay!) leaves the door open for additional installments. The audiobook is from Listening Library (13 hr, 15 min) and is beautifully read by Cassandra Campbell. The print version was released last week from Viking Books for Young Readers.

Monstress by Marjorie Lu: I've gotten away from comics series lately, but when I saw the cover art of this collected volume of Monstress issues, I jumped in with both feet. This is an alternate history universe, set in Asia, with a mix of medieval and steampunk technology (may sound odd, but it works perfectly). The plot involves an ongoing clash between two species or cultures. As I said on Litsy, the comic features bad-ass women, an intriguing world, great art, and good action. I love the characters and the story line and the way the past doesn't quite stay in the past. The artwork by Sana Takeda is stunning, with a wonderful earthy color palate. Despite some violent scenes, there is a strong sense of humor running throughout. I'm not yet sure whom our hero, Maika, should trust, but I love her strength and loyalty both to an absent childhood friend and to two companions she's picked up on her travels. This is from Image Comics and will be released tomorrow. Don't miss it.

Feed by Mira Grant: Yes it took me six years and some prodding from friends to finally get around to reading this first book in the Newsflesh series. Feed is a dystopian novel set in the very near future. The world's population has been depleted after being infected by a virus that turns its hosts into flesh-eating zombies. Wait! Don't turn away yet, this is more than a walking dead story. It explores the shape of the Internet, news, and politics in the years to come. The main characters are a brother-sister blogging team who have been given exclusive coverage of a presidential hopeful's campaign. Double-dealings, good action, and some unpredictable twists make this an absorbing read. I loved the amazing details of the surprisingly believable world, from the weapons to the everyday concessions people undergo to ensure their safety from the zombies. Published in 2010 from Orbit. The audiobook (Hachette Audio; 15 hr, 10 min) was read by Paula Christensen and Jesse Bernstein, who keep the action pumping and the emotions high.

Click for more

Graphically Reading: First Issues 2 (the Girl Power Edition)

 If you're into graphic novels and comics, then you've probably spent some time browsing the Comixology website. When there, one thing I always look for is their periodic free (or sometimes really inexpensive) first-issue sales. It's a great way to get a feel for a comic series, author, and artist without investing a lot of money and time. Here are five first issues I read this month.

 Lumberjanes by Grace Ellis & Noelle Stevenson (Boom / Boom Box, 2014): Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are best friends and cabin mates at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin's camp for girls. When they venture out into the woods one night, they see some strange sights, but before they can safely sneak back into their bunks, they're caught by their counselor, who takes them to see the camp director. But instead of getting into trouble, the girls are given their Up All Night badges and sent back to bed. Just what lurks out in those woods? Verdict: Continue with the series: I love these spunky girls, with their distinct styles and personalities, the fun art, the promise of action, and the mystery of the camp. Princess Ugg by Ted Naifeh (Oni Press, 2014):  Ulga, a battleax-wielding princess from mountain land of Grimmeria, is sent to the city to be educated at the famous Princess Academy, where the royalty of all five kingdoms send their young ladies. But before she has even arrived at the doors of the school, she has a confrontation with the retinue of Julifer, a pampered princess from Atraesca. Imagine their surprise when the girls later learn they're roommates for the duration of the school year. Verdict: Continue with the series: First, I just love the beautiful, detailed artwork, in a full range of colors. I love the medieval / fairy tale feel of the setting, and I can't resist the barbaric tomboy versus the fashionable city girl story line.

Rat Queens by Med Dejmal and Kurtis J Wiebe (Image / Shadowline, 2013). The first issue I read was the Rat Queens Preview, in which we're introduced to the group of women mercenaries, who party as hard as they fight demons. The issue consists of snapshot introductions to Hannah, an elf; Mage, a dwarf; Dee, a human; and Betty, a hobbit. Verdict: Give this series a try: I will definitely continue reading, but can't make a full judgment based on this short prequel. The four friends have different personalities and promise lots of action ahead. The artwork has a minimal feel, yet the facial expressions and background details give the reader the good feel for the scenes. The Sword by Jonathan and Joshua Luna (Image, 2007). Dara Brighton, an art student, still lives at home with her mom and dad, partly because she's in a wheelchair. One night at dinner, when her sister is visiting, three strangers burst into the house, making demands and implying that Mr. Brighton might not be who he says he is. Before the tragic night is over, Dara makes a surprising discovery. Verdict: Continue with the series. I picked this one up because it's by the Luna brothers, and I love the mix of contemporary story with some fantasy elements. There's definitely a mystery here that I want to learn about. The colors of the panels are muted and earthy; facial expressions are easy to read, and the action has impact. Wayward by Jim Zub (Image, 2014): Redheaded Rori Lane, leaves her Irish father to start a new life in a new country with her Japanese mother. Fortunately, Rori is fluent in Japanese, so she shouldn't have that much trouble adjusting. But before her first day is over, she discovers that Tokyo has some "interesting" street cats and depths not seen by ordinary people. Does Rori have a secret calling? Verdict: Continue with the series. This is another one that mixes modern-day life with a bit of fantasy, good action, and some hidden powers. The colors pop off the page, and we really get a great sense of Rori's style and personality. I bet this series is fun.

Click for more

Graphically Reading: First Issues 1

 If you're into graphic novels and comics, then you've probably spent some time browsing the Comixology website. When there, one thing I always look for is their periodic free (or sometimes really inexpensive) first-issue sales. It's a great way to get a feel for a comic series, author, and artist without investing a lot of money and time. Here are four first issues I read this month.

Archer & Armstrong by Fred Van Lente and Clayton Henry (Valiant, 2012): Raised and educated in a fundamentalist encampment, Obadiah Archer is sent out into the world (New York City) to defeat the Evil One. Armstrong, however, has already survived thousands of years, and Archer's martial arts training is not going to be enough to bring the big man down. Right in the middle of their confrontation, everything changes when they are suddenly united in a fight against a common enemy. Verdict: continue the series: You'll find good humor, lots of political jibes, fast action, and expressive art. This will particularly appeal to the more liberal crowd. Butterfly by Arash Amel, Marguerite Bennett, and Antonio Fuso (Boom-Archaia, 2014): When her cover is blown and she's accused of crime she didn't commit ex-CIA agent Rebecca Faulkner (aka Butterfly) is on the run, heading to a location known to her only by its coordinates. When she gets there, she finds a surprise that changes her world. Verdict: pass on the series: the colors are gorgeous and the artwork shines, but the story is uneven, it's hard to connect to the characters, and the ending doesn't pack the punch that I think we were supposed to feel.

Dead Letters by Christopher Sebela and Chris Visions (Boom-Studios, 2014): When Sam wakes up to the sound of pounding on his door, he knows only that he's lost his memory and that he needs to run from whoever is trying to get in. After car chases, a confrontation with a gang, and a rescue by a pretty woman, Sam is about to learn the surprising truth of his current situation. Verdict: read the series: the premise may sound familiar, but this is not your usual amnesia story; plenty of action and the mystery of Sam's past pull you along; the art is dark, a bit sketchy, and perfect for the story. Girls by Joshua Luna (Image, 2005):  Lonely, single Ethan Daniels lives in a small town, where everyone knows everyone. One night, after spending time in the local bar, he's driving home along dark, country roads, when he almost hits a naked woman who is standing in the middle of the pavement. Seeing that she can barely talk and is in trouble, he gets her in his car, intending to offer help--not realizing that someone has been watching. Verdit: try the series: this has potential, but I need to read more to decide what I think; Ethan doesn't seem all that appealing, but I have the feeling that his discovery of the dazed woman is about to change him--plus who was hiding in woods? I love the clean lines and muted colors of the panels.

Click for more

Ten Short Takes: Catching Up with Book Reviews

Here are ten books I read or listened to in 2014 I never got around to reviewing on Beth Fish Reads (though reviews and blurbs may have appeared elsewhere). This post catches me up on books I don't plan on reviewing individually in this space.

Humming a Tune

Wonderland by Stacey D'Erasmo is an introspective novel about Anna, a middle-aged indie rock star who goes on tour in hopes of staging a comeback. Although the audiobook (read by Xe Sands) was well done, the novel suffered from lack of cohesiveness. (Houghton Mifflin, 9780544074811). Rock-and-roll journalist Lisa Robinson has seen it all and met them all. Her memoir There Goes Gravity, is a gossipy, witty, sometimes nostalgic insider's look at the popular music scene both on the road and at home. A must-read for music fans. (Riverhead Hardcover, 9781594487149) Rebecca Rotert's Last Night at the Blue Angel is set in the 1960s and tells the story of a blues singer as she and her daughter face an uncertain future while preparing for her last gig at a rundown Chicago club. An enthralling character study and social commentary. (William Morrow, 9780062315281)

Graphic Duo

Brian K. Vaughan's Saga series continues to surprise me. I never thought I'd be so caught up in a comic series that had science fiction roots. Love, war, family, and fascinating beings and worlds give this ongoing series universal appeal. A little humor lightens the mood. The beautiful illustrations are by Fiona Staples. (Image Comics) Jeff Lemire's Sweet Tooth series is one of my favorite comics. In a dystopian world, children who have been born with animal parts are hunted out and destroyed in the name of scientific study. Your heart will go out to our hero, the young Sweet Tooth, a fantastically complex character. This series has ended, so you can now read the entire story arc in collected volumes or in individual issues. (Vertigo)

Elements of Mystery

Everyone knows by now that Robert Galbraith is really J. K. Rowling. In The Cuckoo's Calling, the first in her Cormoran Strike series, she proves her diversity as a storyteller. Strike, a London private detective, is asked to investigate an already closed high-profile suicide case because a client insists it was actually murder. Great plotting and characters. (Mulholland Books, 9780316330169) Joshua Ferris's To Rise Again at a Decent Hour is not a mystery per se, but it involves elements of identity theft and a fringe religious cult. If I hadn't been listening to it for a freelance assignment, I wouldn't have finished this disjointed story of a dentist's journey to self-discovery. Others have loved the novel. (Little, Brown, 9780316033978) Susanna Kearsley's The Splendour Falls is a little bit mystery and a little bit romance. Enjoyable escape reading, the book is set in modern-day France but involves both World War II and a 13th-century queen. (Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781402258619)

Foodie Finds

Meet Paris Oyster is Mireille Guiliano's love story to her favorite bivalve. A charming and informative look at all things oysters, including species, how to order them, how to eat them, and what to drink with them. Although she generally likes her oysters raw, the book includes a handful of classic and simple recipes. A fun resource. (Grand Central Life & Style, 9781455524082) Daniella Martin has the answer to humankind's future food supply: eat insects. In Edible, she makes a strong case for the importance of insects in the human diet throughout evolution and argues that eating insects is key to providing low-fat, high-quality protein to large numbers of people with minimal environmental cost. She may be right. (New Harvest, 9780544114357)

Click for more

Eight Short Takes to Round Out the Year

Here are eight books I read or listened to in 2013 that I never got around to reviewing on the blog (though reviews and blurbs may have appeared elsewhere). I'm sure I missed some other books this year, but I'm going to count myself caught up and will start the new year with a clean slate.

Enon by Paul Harding follows a father's first year of mourning his 13-year-old daughter, who died in an accident. Much of the book is written with such emotional authenticity, it's difficult to remember it's fiction. Other parts of the story, however, seem to wander. The audiobook, read by the author, was only okay. (Random House, ISBN 9781400069439) Mark Slouka's Brewster was one of my picks for the Bloggers Recommend newsletter. Four teens dream of escaping small-town life and feel the pull of the generation-defining events of 1968. Powerful, haunting, and stunning. (Norton, ISBN 9780393239751) One Hundred and Four Horses, a memoir by Mandy Retzlaff, is an unflinching and heartbreaking view of Zimbabwe's violent government-sanctioned land reclamation. Left homeless and in fear for their lives, the Retzlaffs nonetheless risked everything to save their beloved horses. Unforgettable. (William Morrow, ISBN 9780062204370)

Although I did post my early thoughts about The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black, I never did get around to writing a real review of this mix of paranormal and dystopian. Black is a fantastic world-builder and I love her writing and characters. A great audiobook too. (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ISBN 9780316213103) Francesca Lia Block's Love in the Time of Global Warming is another dystopian, this one with its roots in Homer's Odyssey. We follow Pen as she travels across the U.S. Southwest in search of her family in the aftermath of an environmental disaster. The audiobook was a little slow, but the story is worth the read. (Henry Holt for Young Readers, ISBN 9780805096279) The second Saga book by Brian K. Vaughan continues the story of the Marko, Alana, and their child as they flee from their enemies and try to find a safe haven. This beautifully illustrated graphic novel combines elements of myth, science fiction, and fantasy. Don't miss this series. (Image Comics, ISBN 9781607066927)

Wild Boy by Lloyd Jones is a Sherlock Holmes-type mystery starring an orphan boy who is part of a traveling freak show. When Wild Boy is accused of murder, he must use his powers of observation to clear his name. Middle grade readers will love the audiobook edition of this action-packed story set in Victorian England. (Candlewick, ISBN 9780763662523) When Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr get together to write a new middle grade fantasy, you know the result will be magic. In Loki's Wolves, the authors combine elements of the hero's journey with Nordic mythology to craft an exciting start to a adventure-filled trilogy. (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ISBN 9780316204965)

Click for more

Review: Saga: Volume One by Brian K. Vaughan

Falling to peer pressure, I picked up a new graphic novel series this week: Saga: Volume One by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples.

I hesitated a bit because the story is slightly out of my usual genres. I love fantasy but I'm not big on science fiction, and I was afraid this would be too much the latter for me. Fortunately Saga was a perfect fit.

Somewhere in some galaxy, the beings (I'll call them people) from the planet Landfall and its moon, Wreath, went to war. Soon the conflict escalated, and there is now almost nowhere in the universe to escape the hostilities. You are one side or the other and there is no neutrality.

This is the story of Marco and Alana; their newborn daughter, Hazel; and their fight to stay together. Marco, from Wreath, is a conscientious objector and was a prisoner of war. One of his Landfall guards was Alana, who would rather read romances than be a soldier. When they discovered their love for each other, they plotted an escape, which begins with Alana giving birth in a vehicle-repair shop. Both sides are after them for political and moral reasons. Both sides want the couple dead, but they each want the baby alive.

Saga is full of fantastic human-like creatures. Some have wings, some have TVs for heads. Others are part insect or have wings or horns. There are bad guys and good guys on both sides, but the Freelancers are the most terrifying: stopping at nothing to destroy the couple and capture the baby.

The color palate of the illustrations is mostly blues, teals, and burnt orange and somewhat muted. The vibrancy is punched up when needed to introduce a particular type of being or to emphasize the action. Fiona Staples did a fantastic job, and many pages are frame worthy. The scan is of one of the bad guys and was picked to show you the colors and style without spoiling the story.

As for the story, Brian Vaughan did amazing work setting up the background to the action to come. The relationship between Marco and Alana is loving but not even close to being sappy. They banter, they are sarcastic, they are funny, but they clearly have a strong relationship. In addition, this is an adult graphic novel, so be prepared for sex and violence. Finally, I like Vaughan's sense of humor both in words and in pictures.

Saga: Volume One sets the stage for the story to come and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to track down a copy of the next book.

Buy Saga: Vol. 1 at an Indie or at bookstore near you. This link leads to an affiliate program.
Image Comics, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781607066019
Rating: B+
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

Click for more