Basic Reason for Beginning: Uhm... It sounded cute? I have a long love of anthropomorphised animals.
Basic Reason for Finishing: It's so cute. I want a Lieam of my own!

Full review here

Book Rereadability: Yes, I think so. It's a fast, easy read with gorgeous artwork.
Author Rereadability: I'm determined to pick up the next volume whenever I go to the comic store again.
Recommendation: If anthropomorphised animals are not your thing, you want to skip this. If water colours aren't your thing, you might want to skip this. If you want super-complex storylines, you want to skip this. If, however, you want a solid story that'll entertain you for (part of) an afternoon, this is a good pick. ( )

This isa pretty cool graphic novel. Minimal dialogue, great story, and beautiful artwork make it worth picking up. I gave it to my 11 year old son; he loved it too. ( )

Short enough to be read in a 30-minute sitting, this hardcover graphic novel is an enjoyable read. The story is really nothing new: anthropomorphic mice, armed with swords, defend their realm from a betrayal within. However, the real reason to get this book are the detailed, full-color illustrations. I can't describe it really as "cute," but they are darling in a dark, appealing way. I've always enjoyed stories like this - I adored Graham Oakley's Church Mouse books when I was little, and Redwall when I was about 12 - and this feels like part of that legacy. Fierce little swordsmice defending their realm from evil! If you want to see the artwork, examples can be found on the official site. ( )

The Mouse Guard itself is under attack and the evil plot must be stopped. This wonderfully realized graphic novel follows three of the greatest mice in their efforts to uncover the traitors and save Lockhaven. Well done and sure to be a hit with fans of adventure, graphic, and animal novels. 4th grade and up. ( )

I found this graphic novel at Borders and couldn't resist buying it. It's about three mouse guardsmen who go on an adventure to find a missing grain merchant. It was terrible cute and really makes me want to know what will happen to these different mice. The graphics were amazing and the story well written. There'll be another one coming out in 2008. :) ( )

http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

Great! This is the first one of David's books I have read. I was ohhhing and aahhing during dinner tonite. I'll get the next in the series now. ( )

I like this book because they battle big monsters.
No it is not a A.R book.
It was a prity Easy to read. ( )

Pictures were amazing. Story was lacking. ( )

I thought it deserved a five cause I like violence and it had alot.It is not ar and it was not that hard ( )

The artwork is what first drew me to this book, it is absolutely gorgeous! Richly coloured and detailed every panel holds your attention and demands to be lingered over, and this is important as quite a bit of the story-telling is done with the artwork alone and it works brilliantly.

While these mice may appear cute, they certainly wouldn’t thank you for saying so, these are warrior mice, and can be seen early on as they fight one of their deadliest enemies, a snake - ruthlessly destroying it, and the eggs it was guarding.

While there is a feeling we have much to learn about the characters in future stories, the world the inhabit feels as fully formed as any I have come across, there is a real history lurking in the background, and this adds to the wonderful artwork, to create a wonderfully evocative atmosphere.

Read my full review at:
http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2008/... ( )

Beautifully rendered warrior mice kicking butt! What's not to like?

The art in this is just gorgeous. The story is simple enough that my 7 year old daughter and six-year-old nephew could follow it (I had to read it aloud to my nephew), and yet not so simple that my husband and I couldn't enjoy it as well. I brought it on vacation, and the kids spent HOURS just looking at the pictures and reading it over and over in the evenings. We all loved it, and are looking forward to the next volume. ( )

Illustrations excellent. World interesting. Writing, storytelling rather poor. ( )

Not some cute wee mice:

these medieval warriors fight

and die like heroes.

Overall I’d put the story squarely in the 10-12 age bracket, if that has any meaning. What makes this book worthwhile for the adult reader is the concept and the incredible fusion of art and story that takes place on the page...
http://icantstopreading.wordpress.com... ( )

The art alone is worth 5 stars. Almost a 'Redwall' / 'Watership Down' hybrid. I found the story a bit basic but still very engaging.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ( )

“The mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world’s harsh conditions and predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed.”

When you’re little, the world can be a dangerous place. Fortunately for mice, who happen to be quite little indeed, they have the Mouse Guard on their side. The Mouse Guard are the “escorts, pathfinders, weather watchers, scouts and body guards for the mice who live among the territories”. In other words, The Mouse Guard keeps mice travelers through the territories as safe as possible and investigates when said mice go missing.

So it is that three of the best of the Mouse Guard–Lieam, Kenzie, and Saxon–are sent out to discover the fate of peasant mouse that went missing while delivering goods among the territories. What they find (in addition to a hungry snake) is treachery from within mousekind.

As more of the plot against the Mouse Guard unfolds they discover that it is a mouse claiming to be of Black Axe renown that seeks to overthrow Lockhaven (the Mouse Guard’s home) and the Mouse Guard itself. Mouse Guard Fall 1152 follows these three mice as they investigate the treachery and fight to eradicate its source, so that they can once again focus on external threats to their species from “all the creatures that eats us” [mice, that is].

At book’s end, Petersen has included maps, guides, and assorted extras in which the mouse territories mentioned in the Mouse Guard’s adventures are more fully developed. Petersen’s text and pictures are replete with details that enhance the story. For instance, in describing Barkstone he proclaims it to be the “destination for the best in glass, furniture, and other goods” while Lockhaven is the Home of the Mouse Guard. He couples these proclamations with intricate drawings that reflect each locale’s uniqueness.

Each chapter begins with some exposition, but the captions on the panels themselves are relatively sparse making it an attractive choice for reluctant readers. Peterson employs diverse panel arrangements, color, line, and perspective to create the illusion of action and to drive the story forward.

Readers who enjoy Mouse Guard Fall 1152 will look forward to Mouse Guard Winter 1152 coming out in its collected edition in Winter 2008. In the meantime, other books to suggest to those who enjoyed talking mice historical fantasy adventure aspect include: Kate Dicamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux, Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Robin Jarvis’ Deptford Mice series. More mice fantasy adventure can be found in Michael Hoeye’s Time Stops for No Mouse and The Sands of Time, Avi’s Poppy stories, and Geronimo Stilton’s Geronimo Stilton series. Other books with less daring do but with talking mice that I can’t seem to stop myself from mentioning because they’re so much fun include: Beverly Cleary’s Ralph Mouse chapter books and Jennifer Holm’s BabyMouse graphic novels.

As for readers who don’t necessarily require mice, but nonetheless like the adventure and the anthropomorphic animal aspects, there’s no shortage of these kind of books. Just to name a few, you might try Erin Hunter’s Warriors series (cats), Kenneth Oppel’s Silverwing (bats), Kathryn Lasky’s Guardians of Ga’Hoole series (owls), or Richard Adam’s Watership Down (rabbits).

Mouse Guard Fall 1152 is a story replete with intrigue, adventure, survival, and courageous mice. Mice should be able to rest easier knowing that the Mouse Guard is on duty, and fans should rest easy knowing another volume is on its way. ( )

Mouseketeers secret society plot.

In a comic aimed at kids but written to be entertaining enough to be a quick read for adults, a mouse guard patrol sets off to track down the disappearance of a travelling merchant, and uncovers an armed conspiracy.

Much critter fighting and swashbuckling ensues, as the gruff guardmice try and save their home from takeover.

Charmingly gritty mouse action, if you like.

http://graphicsf.blogspot.com/2007/11... ( )

I've been looking for graphic novels that young people would enjoy. Mouse Guard is a great example. Originally published as four comics, the illustrations are stunning. The introduction to each chapter provides an excerpt from Mouse Guard writings. These quotes along with the map on the book flaps provide a little background. I look forward to the next volume. ( )

While the plot of Mouse Guard Volume One is nothing special, and at times even a bit comically improbable, this is still a rewarding read simply because of David Petersen's beautiful color artwork and wonderful page layouts. In at least one case (the first page of chapter four, "The Dark Ghost"), Petersen's page design was so stunning that I had to stop reading for several minutes just to stare at it. So even if the story itself is goofy at times, Mouse Guard is still worth a visit, and amounts to a guilty pleasure (for an adult, anyway) of the most pleasurable sort. ( )

http://www.piruett.se/2007/09/19/bast...
http://www.piruett.se/2007/12/24/bast... ( )

To be honest, the only reason I picked up David Petersen's Mouse Guard, Fall 1152 originally is because I've read the Redwall series by Brian Jacques for years, and since this dealt with mice as well, I thought that I'd give it a try. Happily, I wasn't disappointed.

Originally published as 6 separate comics, I initially felt that the story was played out better in that serial format. On my first reading of the collected edition, there didn't seem to be too much meat to the actual story. I thought that the collected edition actually hampered the story-telling process, as each individual issue would have had a month or 2 break to whet the appetites of those reading for the next installment. However, as I've gone back on several more occasions to revisit the lands of Mouse Guard, I can honestly say that the story has grown on me, and I can see the subtleties both in Petersen's story as well as his artwork.

The artwork on Mouse Guard Fall 1152 is stunning. Handling all art chores himself, Petersen has created a beautifully rendered and colored world, with an almost hand-painted yet organic feel to the entire story.

Taken as a whole, the entire book is quite an achievement. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of its sequel, Winter 1152. ( )

http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.co... ( )

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 is a compilation of the first six issues of the Mouse Guard bi-monthly comic. The premise of the series is fairly simple: mice have their own civilization. Their world, fraught with danger and predators, is perilous, especially in the country between the hidden towns and villages. The Mouse Guard was formed to protect the mice, serving as soldiers, border patrol, guides, and pathfinders.

Unfortunately, there is a traitor in their midst.

This series is wonderful for all ages; I mean, who can resist anthropomorphic mice with swords? The story is very straightforward, without many twists or turns; those familiar with medieval fantasy definitely won't be taken by surprise. What really makes Mouse Guard fantastic is its absolutely gorgeous artwork. The hardcover compilation also includes additional material not previously published. Every single page is in full color and an absolute feast for the eyes.

The second series will also be collected into a single volume, Mouse Guard: Winter 1152.

Experiments in Reading ( )